The Chicago Bears are in the final stretch of preparations for the 2023 draft. Pro days are wrapping up, as are private visits with prospects. Now the work begins with GM Ryan Poles and his staff forming the teams’ board. It will not only determine which players he covets the most but also how he expects the draft to unfold. This is important since the Bears pick 9th overall. While most deem their trading of #1 that led to three extra picks and D.J. Moore a success, it won’t mean as much if Poles can’t land a good player at his new spot.
What nobody knows is who he might target. There is a strong probability that he has a good idea of who will be available when the Bears go on the clock. What isn’t certain is who the GM has circled as his likeliest choice. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune unveiled his first mock draft of the year. This is important because he is one of the most well-informed insiders on the beat. History says he’s often accurate. As of now, he predicts the Bears will grab Georgia left tackle Broderick Jones at 9th overall.
“GM Ryan Poles can go with a lineman on either side of the ball and declare he has filled a pressing need. As a former offensive lineman — and having made only one major addition in free-agent guard Nate Davis — it seems smart to stay on the O-line. Jones is a redshirt sophomore with a sturdy frame and good athleticism. Bears coaches can sort out which side he’ll play on.”
This is noteworthy for the Chicago Bears.
Biggs’ accuracy has been impressive. Since 2015, he has correctly predicted the exact position the Bears would target with their first pick all but twice. Once in 2017, when Ryan Pace pulled his Houdini trick with Mitch Trubisky, the other last year when the Bears had no 1st rounder.
- 2015 – WR
- 2016 – OLB
- 2017 – DE
- 2018 – ILB
- 2019 – RB
- 2020 – CB/WR
- 2021 – QB
- 2022 – DL/OL
What makes it even more intriguing is Biggs didn’t go with the most popular name. Most experts pinpoint Ohio State left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. as the likely choice. He’s big, long, athletic, and was teammates with Justin Fields. Instead, he went with Jones. That might not be too crazy. Poles has said he wants great athletes who play violently. Jones embodies both of those traits. He’s a freak of nature with his movement skills, making him a perfect fit for the Chicago Bears’ wide-zone scheme. He is also a nasty finisher in the run game.
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The only knock on him is some lingering technique issues, a common problem with Georgia O-linemen. Poles has expressed confidence in the Bears coaching staff to develop players properly. He is an obvious choice if they feel Chris Morgan can get the most out of him.
What makes you think the Bears can develop players properly now when they haven’t been able to in the pass
Erik Lambert, writes:
“Poles has expressed confidence in the Bears coaching staff to develop players properly. He (Broderick Jones) is an obvious choice if they feel Chris Morgan can get the most out of him.”
Really? Who has Chris Morgan developed on the Bears’ current roster?
Isn’t that the reason Luke Steckel is now, at Halas Hall?
Mr. Poles: Paris or Brod would be good sensible picks, but Jihan should be the dynamically progressive and courageous selection that leads the Bears to the top of the division; perhaps even this year. Then you can fill in the rest of the positions.
By the #9 pick the value will be at the OT and CB positions. I hope somebody wants to move up for Witherspoon or Johnson so we can drop about 5-7 spots and add another pick or two. At that point the WRs and TEs will be coming into play. Could see another tiny move down.
In 2020, Ryan Pace drafted Cole Kmet (TE) before taking Jaylon Johnson (CB). So technically, Biggs missed 3 times.