Chicago Bears 2023 Mock Off-Season: Build That Wall

The latest Chicago Bears 2023 mock offseason puts GM Ryan Poles in an interesting position. Not only will he have the most cap space of anybody in March, but he’s also on track for the #3 overall pick. That presents a huge opportunity to give his team a massive infusion of talent over a two-month span. It comes down to how aggressive he’s willing to be. Poles has said he wanted to build through the draft. At the same time, he has a young quarterback in Justin Fields that needs help immediately.

It can be tough to balance such things. Head coach Matt Eberflus will have his say in those decisions. There is no shortage of directions they could go. Smart money says they’ll focus on the trenches. It is merely how they’ll go about it. Here is a possibility that makes plenty of sense for them.

Chicago Bears 2023 mock offseason is about getting aggressive.

Trades:

2nd Round pick in 2023 and 4th in 2024 to the New Orleans Saints for C Erik McCoy and 7th in 2024

Poles already traded one 2nd rounder for Chase Claypool, so it comes as a shock when he deals another. This time he targets some desperately-needed help at center for the offensive line. New Orleans is in the middle of a significant salary cap crunch. That may force them to unload expensive contracts in favor of draft picks and cap space. McCoy is one of the best centers in the league, boasting strong pass protection skills and the necessary athleticism to function in the Bears’ wide-zone system.

Re-signings/Extensions:

• Jaylon Johnson – 4-year extension for $76 million
• Darnell Mooney – 4-year extension for $64 million
• Nicholas Morrow – 3-year deal for $15 million
• Armon Watts – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
• Equanimeous St. Brown – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
• N’Keal Harry – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
• Trevon Wesco – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
• Khari Blasingame – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
• Matthew Adams – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
• Dane Cruikshank – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
• DeAndre Houston-Carson – 1-year deal for $1.165 million
• Patrick Scales – 1-year deal for $1.165 million
• Josh Blackwell – ERFA deal for $750,000

People will go back and forth on Johnson. The truth is he’s a good player, and the Bears need to keep good players around whenever possible. Mooney has continued to show he’s their most reliable wide receiver. That payday is earned. As for Chase Claypool, he has more proving to do. Morrow is a steady player with the traits they like at linebacker. Everybody else is either depth or special teams options.

Free Agency:

DT Dre’Mont Jones – 4-year deal for $76 million

Justin Jones is not the interior pass rush presence this defense needs in order to function. Dre’Mont has 16.5 sacks over the previous three seasons with the Denver Broncos. He’s established himself as one of the most consistently disruptive interior pass rushers in the league, and the craziest part is he hasn’t played in schemes designed to take full advantage of it. He would be an excellent fit in Chicago.

OT Jack Conklin – 4-year deal for $60 million

With center taken care of, the offensive line position presenting the biggest issues is right tackle. Larry Borom and Riley Reiff aren’t good enough. So the Bears decided to grab the 28-year-old Conklin. He is everything they need: powerful, athletic, nasty, and consistent. He proved in Cleveland that he could thrive in a run-first offense. That doesn’t mean he can’t pass protect—a solid all-around football player.

WR Jakobi Meyers – 2-year deal for $20 million

With Mooney and Claypool in place, this Bears 2023 mock offseason doesn’t intend to let the foot off the gas. Poles continues to seek weapons for his quarterback. Meyers has become an ultra-reliable target in New England with good hands, crisp route-running skills, and a knack for delivering big catches on 3rd down. A trio of him, Mooney, and Claypool would significantly upgrade what Chicago had before 2022 began.

RB Josh Jacobs – 3-year deal for $36 million

The former Raiders 1st round pick continues to go underappreciated in NFL circles. People talk about Saquon Barkley, but Jacobs is every bit as productive. He’s about to crack 1,000 yards for the third time in four years, has scored 35 touchdowns, and is a constant threat in the passing game with 141 catches for 1,003 yards. He’s also over a year younger than David Montgomery. He and Khalil Herbert would make a lethal tandem.

The Draft:

1st Round – Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama

Rule #1 of drafting is don’t overthink it. If it looks like you’re getting a great player? Take him. Anderson may be on the lighter side at 243 lbs, but that hasn’t stopped him from wrecking the SEC for most of his college career. The guy has 32.5 sacks and 55.5 tackles for a loss. He’s quick, fast, athletic, and powerful. People have compared him to Von Miller and Micah Parsons. Put him on the same front as Dre’Mont Jones, and suddenly the Bears have a defensive front that opponents will fear.

Trade: 3rd round pick to Jaguars for 3rd in 2023 and 4th in 2023

Trade: 3rd round pick (via JAX) to Panthers for 3rd in 2023, 4th in 2023 and 5th in 2023

3rd Round (via CAR) – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

Forget about his 5’10 size. This guy is a playmaker. Plain and simple. His route-running and speed get him open constantly, and he’s managed almost 3,000 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns without the benefit of decent quarterback play. He can separate down the field and is dangerous with the ball in his hands. He’ll need to add some weight for the NFL and won’t be an asset in the running game until then.

4th Round – Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State

You can’t teach instincts and ball skills. Eberflus preaches turnovers in this Bears defense. So it only makes sense he’d target players that excel in that area. Forbes has 14 interceptions and six pick-sixes in his three years at Mississippi State. That is eye-popping production for a cornerback. The concern? He’s only 180 lbs, so he may struggle against bigger receivers, and his long speed isn’t elite. Such problems can be worked around.

4th Round (via CAR) – Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa

Another thing about Eberflus? He likes length in his players. That includes linebackers. Campbell boasts plenty of that at 6’5. He is a rare breed for that position these days. His size allows him to take on blocks, and his tackling prowess is top-notch. While not a freak, his athleticism is adequate enough to give him good range against the run and to handle himself in coverage. Most of his issues are technical.

4th Round (via JAX) – Cedrice Paillant, OG, Marshall

No way this Bears 2023 mock offseason concluded without them drafting at least one offensive lineman. Paillant gets overlooked because he plays at a less-covered program. Those who watch him see a big, burly, and powerful lineman that overwhelms defenders in the run game. He has a nasty streak and isn’t afraid to choose violence. He’ll need to lose weight to improve his range, but the young man has potential.

4th Round (via PHI) – Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State

Musgrave was poised to enter the top 50 conversation. His mixture of 6’6 size and pass-catching ability were on full display the first two weeks of 2022, going for 169 yards and a touchdown. Sadly his season was cut short by a knee injury. He’s been recovering since then. That puts his draft stock in limbo. When healthy, the guy has legitimate deep speed and excellent hands. He is worth the risk.

5th Round – Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon

Oregon’s unique defensive approach makes it difficult for defensive linemen to produce noteworthy numbers. Yet Dorlus has flashed interior pass rush skills constantly. He attacks gaps with a will and displays a relentless motor. His strong lower body and violent hands allow him to penetrate the backfield. Despite not playing inside all the time, his five sacks and 16 tackles for a loss the past two years reflect his ability.

5th Round (via CAR) – Viliami Fehoko, DE, San Jose State

Constant investment in the defensive line is never a bad thing. Again the Bears shift to the edges. Fehoko is what people would call a worker in the pass rush department. He doesn’t win with pure athletic ability. He wins with strength and relentlessness. It seems to work, having notched 21 sacks in three years as a starter. Fehoko has an ideal 4-3 defensive end size, and his quickness should allow him to threaten the edge.

Trade: 5th round pick (via BAL) to Giants for 6th in 2023 and 6th in 2023

6th Round (via NYG) – Connor Galvin, OT, Oregon

You can’t teach 6’7. Galvin is a big dude and moves well for his size. Most of his problems as a blocker are technical in nature. He gets caught reaching way too often. He’ll also play too high at times, allowing NFL defensive linemen into his body. Still, he’s plenty strong enough and doesn’t lack attitude.

6th Round (via NYG) – Jay Ward, S, LSU

One thing about LSU is it always produces quality defensive backs that are athletes. Ward is no exception. He’s got adequate size even though he’s a bit thin. His production over the past three years (6 INTs) has been solid. The big thing with him is experience. He hasn’t played safety for long, so he still has learning to do.

7th Round – Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia

People will knock Bennett for being undersized with an average arm. Yet there is always something to be said for a guy that wins. He constantly shows up in big games with one national title ring already. His accuracy as a passer is good, and he has enough mobility to create plays with his legs—great backup qualities.