The 2023 NFL Draft is roughly two weeks away, now, and Ryan Poles looks prepped to take his Chicago Bears to the next level.
After dealing for a plethora of capital and wide receiver D.J. Moore, Poles and the Bears have a lot of avenues they could go in the draft.
The Bears could end up having plenty of options at no. 9, with a strong possibility of even trading back once more. This is just one reason Bears fans are excited for the draft. But, as it inches closer, do not be surprised if the Bears, among other teams, make a few additional moves in preparation to execute their draft plan.
If Poles wanted to try and get this roster into the best shape possible, before the draft, he could opt to make one of the following four moves, starting with signing a veteran up front.
Moves the Chicago Bears should make before the 2023 NFL Draft: Sign free agent tackle Donovan Smith
Things are shifting in Tampa Bay. The team just heard that star linebacker Devin White has requested a trade from the Bucs, meanwhile, the organization has seen a few key veterans let go as they work around the salary cap and prepare for the future.
One of those veterans that was let go is longtime starting offensive tackle Donovan Smith, who is only set to turn 30 years old in June and is currently still without a new team after the Bucs released him earlier this offseason.
Smith is a great pass blocker, but sometimes struggles in the run. However, if he lined up on the right side where Justin Fields was able to see more than he obviously can on his left, I think Smith would be a fine starter.
This wouldn’t prohibit the Bears from drafting another tackle, but would at least give them a shoe-in starter for at least 2023.
Moves the Chicago Bears should make before the 2023 NFL Draft: Trade for Cardinals OT Josh Jones
Things in Arizona aren’t exactly peachy, right now. The team is set to rebuild around quarterback Kyler Murray and will end up waving goodbye to star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, eventually, via trade.
If the Bears wanted to take advantage of a team that’s going through plenty of change, getting ready to rebuild, then they should look at trading for starting offensive tackle Josh Jones.
The 25-year-old tackle is in the final year of his rookie contract after being drafted in the third round back in 2020, and played very well last season, and in both blocking phases. He’ll be 26 in June, and next year will be in line for a fairly pricy contract extension if he reproduces what he did in 2022.
Offering a trade like this to Arizona, and potentially landing Jones, would fortify the Bears’ starting offensive line and give them some flexibility with their draft capital. For a guy on the last year of his deal, Chicago likely wouldn’t have to give up more than a fourth-round pick, assuming the Cardinals were willing to part with him.
Moves the Chicago Bears should make before the 2023 NFL Draft: Sign free agent cornerback Marcus Peters
The Bears need to add a cornerback in the draft, or they could opt to sign a veteran free agent that’s still out there. Potentially, Poles could do both if he really wanted to elevate the cornerback room.
Last year, it was Jaylon Johnson and Kindle Vildor who started outside, with rookie Kyler Gordon ending up in the slot. This season, Chicago could use an upgrade over Vildor, and veteran Marcus Peters would be a phenomenal signing at this point in free agency.
The 30-year-old is still a productive cornerback, a 3-time Pro Bowler and twice an All Pro selection. Last year, the Ravens’ defense improved as the season went on, but things didn’t start out so well. Peters had a bit of an off year, but still earned a PFF grade of 67.7 overall. Coming in and playing alongside the dynamic, youthful guys like Johnson, Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker, along with Gordon, could allow Peters to have some pressure taken off him.
This is a move the Bears make if they want to try and compete sooner, and some might suggest that it’s a strong possibility with the way Poles has reinvented this roster.
Moves the Chicago Bears should make before the 2023 NFL Draft: Trade for Bucs EDGE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
This one is somewhat of a shot in the dark, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are an interesting team to watch right now. Life without Tom Brady isn’t exactly inspiring fans to believe they are in line for another Super Bowl anytime soon, but the team is giving former first overall pick Baker Mayfield a shot.
We’ve already discussed the Bucs moving on from veteran offensive tackle Donovan Smith, and it seems as though Mike Evans is always involved in trade rumors (as he should be, entering the final year of his contract). But now, Bucs linebacker Devin White has requested a trade. While Tampa Bay hasn’t indicated they’re going to oblige, it’s still worth wondering, what if that situation gets worse?
The Bucs could end up rebuilding, and Ryan Poles should at least entertain picking up the phone and asking about the availability of a few players. One of them which fits their needs is edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.
The third-year pro has posted 4.0 sacks in each of his first two seasons and earned a stout grade, overall, from Pro Football Focus, at 67.1 for the 2022 campaign. He could fill a need and help the defensive line rotation, and at just 23 years old, Tryon-Shoyinka would provide plenty of youth here.