Chicago Bears: 5 positions team can ignore in 2023 NFL Draft

We are in full-on draft mode, here, folks. The Chicago Bears continue to dominate the 2022 offseason as big free agency winners and with a lot of control in the 2023 NFL Draft; some control of which they have already relinquished.

Still, after the Bears traded the number 1 overall pick, Chicago boasts a lot of power in the draft. At no. 9, they could still move back again and obtain even more draft capital. As it stands, the Bears have 10 picks in the upcoming draft. That’s a lot of swings for general manager Ryan Poles.

Prior to the start of free agency, this Bears roster had a ton of holes. Fortunately, Poles did a great job filling a lot of them via signings and, of course, the arrival of wide receiver D.J. Moore. Still, Chicago has a good chunk of roster needs that they’ll address via the draft.

But, to give the Bears front office some props, we need to look at what they’ve done well in recent years and check out the positions Poles shouldn’t have to worry about going into this year’s draft. With that said, let’s begin with one of the quiet MVPs of the roster.

Positions the Chicago Bears can ignore in the 2023 NFL Draft: Kicker

This should be one of the most obvious positions the Bears can ignore, and it’s not one often talked about. So, more than anything, this segment is given to Cairo Santos more so to hand him some props for his career resurgence and becoming such a consistent part of the Bears’ offense.

Santos has been one of the Bears’ most valuable players over the past three years, making 30-of-32 field goals in 2020 (93.8 percent), 26-of-30 field goals in 2021 (86.7 percent) and 21-of-23 field goals in 2022 (91.3 percent).

It’s no wonder he was rewarded with a 5-year contract in 2021. He deserved it, and he’s got job security with a team that, at one point, looked like a total circus when it came to trying to solidify the kicker position.

Positions the Chicago Bears can ignore in the 2023 NFL Draft: Running Back

The running back position changed rapidly in Chicago at one point, with free agent David Montgomery agreeing to a contract with the Detroit Lions. Just a little while after that deal was announced, the Bears signed former Carolina Panthers running back D’Onta Foreman along with former Seattle Seahawks running back Travis Homer.

The running back spot was shored up in a hurry after Montgomery’s absence, and the Bears shouldn’t have to worry about adding one via the draft. Obviously, it’s going to be a lot of Khalil Herbert with Foreman given a heavy dose of touches, too.

Homer will handle some passing downs here and there, but do most of his damage on special teams. If anything, Homer was brought in to take any pressure off Herbert having to handle special teams duties, as Herbert’s role increased greatly for 2023.

The only way the Bears should address running back, going forward, is via undrafted free agency. If they want to keep four backs, then an undrafted free agent could compete with Trestan Ebner for that spot.

Positions the Chicago Bears can ignore in the 2023 NFL Draft: Tight End

Cole Kmet’s breakout last season was fun to watch, as he scored more than he ever had in 2022. Over his first two seasons, Kmet had just two receiving touchdowns. Last year, he found the end zone a whopping seven times. It was a welcomed addition to an offense that struggled through the air, mostly due to lack of weapons and offensive line.

This offseason, the Bears brought in former Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan as the backup to Kmet, but they’ll both get plenty of run. Tonyan is a fantastic red zone threat and is more athletic than he gets credit for.

Between those two, the Bears are set at the position. They will probably keep a third tight end, which could ultimately end up being Jake Tonges, who is more of an H-back than anything. Tonges can be used more as a blocker in those situations, which makes him a valuable third tight end. Chicago also has receiving tight end Chase Allen, who joined the team last year as an undrafted free agent.

Before the Tonyan signing, it would have made a lot of sense for the Bears to draft a tight end. But, after he was inked, the Bears no longer needed to worry about the position.

Positions the Chicago Bears can ignore in the 2023 NFL Draft: Wide Receiver

This one might be debatable. But, on the surface, it looks as though the Bears don’t need to address wide receiver in the draft this year. Let’s look at the depth chart, real quick:

D.J. Moore, Equanimeous St. Brown, Daurice Fountain

Darnell Mooney, Nsimba Webster

Chase Claypool, Velus Jones Jr., Joe Reed

Should the Bears keep five receivers going into the regular season, they’re obvious. It’s Moore, Mooney, Claypool, St. Brown and Jones Jr.

But, if the Bears wanted to keep six receivers, then things get interesting. No one would feel comfortable if Webster, Reed or Fountain were that sixth wideout on the roster. For training camp, sure, those guys are fine bodies to have. But, if the Bears wanted a sixth receiver, then going after another veteran free agent or adding a few in undrafted free agency should be the route they go.

Now, on the other hand, one could argue they should go after a wide receiver in the draft to prepare for 2024 and get someone already working on chemistry with Justin Fields. Mooney and Claypool will be free agents in 2024, so that’s something the Bears have to think about.

Chicago likely won’t re-sign both of them, but more than likely just one. That means they could very well go after a wideout if they wanted to future-proof the position. But, do they have to? Absolutely not.

Positions the Chicago Bears can ignore in the 2023 NFL Draft: Quarterback

Finally, and most obviously, the Bears do not have to use a single draft pick on quarterback. Justin Fields is locked-and-loaded as the starter. But, behind him, the Bears have some depth.

Chicago went out and added one of a couple of former Carolina Panthers, bringing in quarterback P.J. Walker to join his former teammate, D’Onta Foreman, on the Bears’ offense. Walker comes in and will likely back up Fields, giving the team another big arm to come in on short notice.

Not only do the Bears have Walker, but they recently re-signed Nathan Peterman, who spent last year as the Bears’ no. 3 quarterback and, by all accounts, will do so once more in 2023.

The only dart throw the Bears should even think about is in undrafted free agency. Prior to the team signing Walker and Peterman, the idea of drafting someone like UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson was an intriguing one, because he would go in the sixth or seventh round and possesses a lot of similar qualities as Fields.

But, with the quarterback position filled out, only an undrafted free agent could be the route Chicago goes in terms of bringing in a rookie. They should not use a single draft pick on a quarterback, no matter what.