This is the foolproof, balanced mock draft that the Bears need to address as many needs as possible, without trades, to set the team up for a wildcard run in 2023 and deep playoff run in 2024 (pending Fields development, of course).
Pick 9: Darnell Wright, RT, Tenn-In this scenario Wright is the second OT off the board behind PJJ. My logic being that we know Wright can play RT. If we were to draft a young LT like Broderick Jones, or PJJ, if he's available, we'd have both tackle positions learning a "new" position--assuming Braxton moves to RT. Obviously the rookie LT would be adjusting to the NFL game, and Braxton Jones would probably be playing RT for the first time since before college. With Wright at RT, Braxton Jones can continue his development at LT.
I believe that everyone besides Skoronski has experience playing on the right side. Now, if you want to make the argument that Paris and Jones will have problems moving to the right side AND playing tackle, not guard, on the right side is going to be some impossible feat, I guess that I can live with that weak argument.
In your scenario, who is going to play LT if Broderick gets sick and cannot play?
In mine, Jones or Paris will be able to move to Fields' blind side.
Pick 52: Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn-We need an edge rusher with some juice. Right now we have nobody coming off the edge that can get after the QB. Hall is that.
Raw but elite speed. You are going to have to live with some rough edges where drafted. Good pick at 53.
Pick 61: Gervon Dexter, DT, UF-BIg, long, mean DT. 6'5 315lbs. Excellent run defender that has the tools to develop into a menace inside. Could be our 3T of the future and internal disruptor.
I have some important information that everyone must read right now.
" A snail can sleep for three years.
All polar bears are left handed.
It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.
Hydra – an aquatic creature is the only living creature that never die. It regenerates, replacing its cells with fresh ones.
Elephants are the only animals that can’t jump.
Coca-Cola was originally green because of fresh cocoa leaves.
Honey is the only food that doesn’t spoil
Strawberry is the only fruit with its seeds on the outside.
All other vegetables must be replanted every year except two perennial vegetables; Asparagus and rhubarb that can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons.
There are 366 dimples on a golf ball."
The time it took you to read the above 10 facts is the same amount of time for Gervon Dextor to move AFTER the snap.
Pick 64: Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami-Long, physical CB. 6' 200lbs. Played some safety at UGA before transferring to Miami. Would be an excellent Tampa-2 CB. Would allow Gordon to move inside where he belongs and round out the secondary nicely.
Pick 103: Ricky Stromberg, C, Arkansas-Strong, mean, nasty, athletic, run-blocking center. He could probably start year one, but with Whitehair we won't need him to. Can learn for a year before taking over in 2024.
The Bears do NOT want to rely on Whitehair at center. The Bears must take a center who can start, no could and no probably.
Whitehair's best position is backup guard and center. Who else on the team can do that? If Lucas Patrick could, Whitehair would be a trade or cut candidate.
Pick 133: Braeden Daniels, OG, Utah-Very experienced player with positional versatility. Has played both guard positions and LT so he has some athleticism to his game to be able to play outside--and excel as he was first team all-conference in 2022 as a LT.
Sounds like a Poles type of offensive lineman!
Pick 136: Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane-Board favorite. Good athleticism. One-cut back that would fit very nicely in this zone blocking scheme.
Chances he goes much earlier. There are others who can fall and fit the outside zone scheme.
Chase Brown is just one example of a RB who would fit the outside zone, can block and can be available at 136.
Pick 148: Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Mich-6'5, 250 athletic TE. 9.66 RAs, ran a 4.63 40. Would be a nice compliment to Kmet.
I would prefer someone who is more than just a compliment, thank you very much.
Put in Zack Kuntz for his athleticism or Tucker Kraft for his all around game and you would get a bit more.
Don't be afraid of the small school TE just because the Bears got burnt with one a few years ago.
Pick 218: Nesta Jade Silvera, DT, ASU-This is an Eberflus guy. Plays hard every play, mean, nasty. 6'2, 315. Can play NT or 3T in this 4-3 defense. Could develop into a good backup DT.
Good late round pick.
Pick 258: Tavius Robinson, Edge, Ole Miss-Toolsy developmental DE. 6'6, 257, 4.66 40, 8.76 RAS score. Finished 2022 with the 2nd most forced fumbles with five and had seven sacks. Another player that could develop into a rotational guy with low-end starter upside.
Another good late round pick for the defense.
QB: Fields,/ PJ Walker/Peterman
RB: Foreman/Herbert/Spears
WR: Moore/ESB
WR: Claypool/Pettis
WR: Mooney/VJJ
TE: Kmet/Tonyan/Schoonmaker
LT: Jones
LG: Jenkins/Daniels
C: Whitehair/Patrick/Stromberg
RG: Davis/Leatherwood/Carter
RT: Wright/Borom
DE: Walker/Gipson/D. Robinson
DT: Billings/Silvera
DT: Jones/Dexter
DE: R. Green/Hall/T. Robinson
LB: Edwards/Sanborn
LB: Edmunds/Lewis
CB: Johnson/Jones
NB: Gordon
CB: Stevenson/Vildor
S: Bojack
S: Brisker
You certainly could have done much worse and possibly have done better. Not bad.
