Chicago Bears NFL Draft: 5 wildcard options at pick number 9
By Ryan Heckman
As we inch closer to the 2023 NFL Draft, it’s time to start taking the possibilities at number 9 a little bit more serious. The Chicago Bears no-longer have a clear-cut choice as they would have if they’d stayed within the top three picks.
No, it gets muddier where they’re at, now, after trading the first overall pick to Carolina.
There are quite a few names the Bears could draft that wouldn’t surprise fans, but thrill them. The top of the first round is loaded, but what about the second half of the first round rankings?
Depending on who you ask, the Bears could wind up taking a little bit of a risk. The following five players would be somewhat surprising, and more of a wildcard pick for Ryan Poles at his current draft position.
Wildcard options for the Chicago Bears at pick number 9: Myles Murphy, EDGE
If we were to judge the term “wildcard” by looking at prospect rankings, then Myles Murphy is undoubtedly a fit to that definition. Depending on the outlet you trust, he can be found ranked anywhere from mid-teens to late twenties.
To take a guy like that at number 9 would definitely be a bit of surprise. But, it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad pick. Murphy is a physical freak at 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds. He has a ton of mass, but moves it extremely well.
His speed and overall athletic ability jump off the screen when watching. Murphy is versatile, being able to line up in any scheme. He’s likely a better fit at defensive end in a 4-3, which is ideal for the Bears.
Last year at Clemson, Murphy posted 6.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits and six tackles for a loss. He’s good enough to come in and start right away, and would give the Bears a formidable foursome at end.