Chicago Bears Mock Draft: Two trades net two 1st Round picks
By Ryan Heckman
A week and a half to go, and Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles will find himself in position to continue this franchise’s total 180.
Already, Poles has been lauded for his work done via free agency and, of course, the big trade from no. 1 overall. Adding D.J. Moore, more draft capital and some legitimate starters in free agency are just a few things Poles has done to turn fans’ heads.
In the 2023 NFL Draft, Poles could continue making moves. If I was a betting man, I’d bet there was a higher likelihood that Poles moves back again from no. 9 than staying put.
If he does, here is an example of what the Bears could do to kick off our latest mock draft.
The Chicago Bears move back with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft
The Bears move back eight spots while netting a second rounder and fourth rounder from Pittsburgh, giving them a couple of additional picks in the top 120 overall. At no. 17, the best player on the board was undoubtedly Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey, therefore Poles brings him to Chicago.
Kancey is a no-doubter type of pick. He’s going to come in and be a difference-maker immediately. The 6-foot-1, 281-pound defensive tackle is one of the best overall defensive players in this class. Lining up on the interior, he uses his combination of strength, speed and athleticism to make some plays reminiscent of a more raw Aaron Donald.
As a defensive lineman, Kancey ran his 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.67 seconds. In his final season with the Panthers, Kancey totaled 14.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and a total of 31 stops. He also missed two games, making those numbers even more impressive.
The Bears have had a hard time showing anything from their defensive line, both against the run and getting after the quarterback. That changes right away, from the moment Kancey is selected. He is exactly what the Bears need, especially sitting at pick 17. This pick is a home run for Poles, and he’s only getting started.