Chicago Bears Draft: 3 bold predictions for the 2023 rookie class

Prediction #1

Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles went to work on defense in the 2023 NFL Draft, bringing in a number of high-upside players who will transform the unit.

It’s been five long years since the Windy City had a Chicago Bears defense that they could be proud of and one that lived up to their tradition.

While we began the process of morphing back into the Monsters of the Midway with the introduction of defensive guru Matt Eberflus and the “HITS” principal last season, they were severely lacking in talent. This is not the case anymore.

After Ryan Poles’ calculated moves in the 2023 free agent class, their defensive needs entering the NFL Draft were clear. They needed to infuse their defensive line with talent and add another quality corner on the outside so that Kyler Gordon could focus on being the nickel back.

Luckily, Bears Nation, the front office has a philosophy and a plan. Poles addressed their needs with players who fit the exact profile that both he and Matt Eberflus look for.

The Chicago Bears drafted Gervon Dexter Senior, Zacch Pickens, and Kendall Williamson to bolster their interior defensive line while adding Tyrique Stevenson and Terell Smith at cornerback to shore up the secondary.

While naysayers will point to a lack of statistical production for some of these players (such as Gervon Dexter) at the spots they were drafted, Ryan Poles offered the perfect response for why things may not be as they seem in the box score.

All of the defensive players that the Chicago Bears drafted are freakishly athletic with extremely high upside. I believe that Matt Eberflus and Defensive Coordinator Alan Williams will be able to get the most out of these young men.

I can hear you now. “But Ryan Poles didn’t draft a defensive end!” This is where it gets interesting, as I’ve intentionally left out the most intriguing player.

Poles saw Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell on the board in the fifth round and knew the value was far too great to pass up.

Seen by some as a Day 2 pick, Sewell is another explosive player who plays with a ferocity and fearlessness that Chicago Bears fans will love. The most interesting part? Some believe he could play EDGE in certain situations.

While it may take time for him to develop his skills further as a pass rusher, his burst lends itself well to rushing the quarterback. Now, he needs to develop his repertoire.

With all of these picks, Ryan Poles addressed our needs by selecting players that complement each other and have high motors, and good character. They fit this culture perfectly.

Because of this draft class, the Monsters of the Midway are about to explode back onto the scene. With Aaron Rodgers out of the division, I see these young Chicago Bears rising up to reclaim their reputation as a franchise that prides itself on defense.

It may not be this year but within three years, this unit will be an annual Top 5 defense and it will be this draft class that people will remember as the true catalyst.

The Chicago Bears tradition doesn’t only extend to defense. It may be no coincidence, then, that my next bold prediction involves a rookie whose running style is as if he was meant to be a Chicago Bear running back his entire life.