Chicago Bears Mock Draft: No surprise trades, but a realistic haul

To this point, much of the talk about the Chicago Bears and what they’ll do in the 2023 NFL Draft has included the likely possibility of a big first-round trade.

However, there might be an increasingly-likely scenario where Ryan Poles stays put with the ninth overall pick.

After all, the Bears have 10 picks in the draft as it stands. Getting a sure fire stud at no. 9 overall means something, and for one of the only times in the past couple of months, we keep the Bears right where they’re at in the first round.

In one of our last 2023 mock drafts, the Chicago Bears come away with a well-rounded haul of talent

At number nine, the Bears go with Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr., who you could argue is the best overall, pure tackle in the draft. Johnson is a natural right tackle, and will step right into that starting position, rounding out the Bears’ starting offensive line.

Johnson stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 313 pounds, plus has the flexibility to move well laterally. He packs a heavy punch with those large hands and doesn’t let go easily. Johnson is quick enough to be able to get out and pull, too, which will come in handy for a Bears offense that runs a lot.

This is a popular pick amongst Bears fans, and some outlets have him higher, while some have him lower. For Chicago, this seems to be the perfect spot for Johnson to go.

With their first pick in the second round, coming at no. 53, the Bears go offensive line yet again, proving they’re serious about giving Justin Fields everything he needs to succeed. In the above section on Johnson, I mentioned the Bears round out their starting offensive line. However, Tippmann will come in and take one of the starting spots between either Cody Whitehair or Lucas Patrick, depending on who will play guard versus center.

Tippmann, like Johnson, is a large man at 6-foot-6. Again, like Johnson, Tippmann is a powerful player. He packs a heavy punch. But here’s the kicker: Tippmann moves better than any other 6-foot-6 offensive lineman you’ve seen before.

He is ultra-athletic and can get to the second level in a hurry, but also move side to side in a way that shouldn’t be possible for a man his size. From here on out, Fields is protected much, much better going forward.