Chicago Bears Big Board for 1st Round of 2023 NFL Draft 1.0
By Ryan Heckman
Chicago Bears Big Board 1.0, Number 3: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
It wouldn’t be the sexy pick, and would give similar feelings to Poles drafting a pair of defensive backs with his first two picks a year ago, but Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez would be very difficult to pass up here, if he’s on the board.
Gonzalez is widely-regarded as the draft’s top cornerback, alongside Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon. The former Duck is 6-foot-1, ran a blazing 4.38 in his 40-yard dash at the combine and leapt to a 41.5-inch vertical. So, go ahead and slap the “size and speed combination” label on him, because it certainly applies, here.
The Bears have Jaylon Johnson on the outside, and Kyler Gordon very well might be most comfortable in the slot. If Gonzalez is the pick, then Gordon definitely stays inside, and that would work to the entire secondary’s advantage.
Gonzalez has the strength, size and athleticism to get on the nerves of most opposing receivers, regardless of their skillset. He’s great at cutting routes shorts and making his target uncomfortable, especially when he works down the sideline. Giving Gonzalez the other outside job would make this Bears secondary nearly unstoppable going forward, assuming the team generates a pass rush, that is.