Chicago Bears 2023 Mock Draft: College Football Playoff edition

With pick no. 12 in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba

He may not have played in the Playoff, but Jaxon Smith-Njigba is still going to be a first-round pick. You can bet on that. It was a tough year for the stud wideout, who suffered a hamstring injury that cost him most of his final season with the Buckeyes.

Still, he is expected to be healthy soon and will be able to show off at the Combine and his Pro Day.

The 6-foot Smith-Njigba is one of the best route runners you’ll ever see coming out of college, and knows how to get open. He does a lot of things well, but the smooth and effortless way he plays is eye-popping.

In 2021, Smith-Njigba caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. That was while also sharing the rock with Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, mind you. The Bears get their legit, number one guy to pair back up with former Buckeye Justin Fields.

With pick no. 56 in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select Georgia interior offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran

With their third-straight selection from a College Football Playoff team, the Bears go offensive line with Georgia center Sedrick Van Pran.

Most Bears fans can agree that Sam Mustipher has no place in the building beyond 2022, and replacing him should be a major priority. That’s exactly what the Bears do with Van Pran, the athletic and explosive center off this Bulldogs roster.

Van Pran is a quick lateral mover, which helps him engage with defensive stunts. He is also a lot stronger in his core than Mustipher, who gets knocked off his feet on many occasions. For those sick of watching Mustipher get caught with his pants down, Van Pran is here to save the day.