The Bears have the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft, where the expectation is general manager Ryan Poles will look to trade back for additional draft capital.
Chicago should have no shortage of suitors for the top pick, as there are a number of teams in need of a quarterback this offseason. And if a team falls in love with one of the top prospects - be it Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud or Will Levis - the Bears could be the beneficiary of their desperation.
With the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl in the books, ESPN's Matt Miller unveiled his new two-round mock draft. Chicago has a number of needs to address on their roster, but Miller has them targeting one of their biggest weaknesses in the first two rounds: the defensive line.
No. 4 - DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
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The Bears find a trade partner for the No. 1 pick in the Colts, where they acquire additional draft capital and still manage to land a top defensive prospect in Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter at No. 4 overall.
Carter has been a popular link in most Bears mock drafts, which makes sense considering the defensive line was the team's biggest weakness last season. Carter could be that disruptive three-technique that would make Matt Eberflus' defense go.
No. 53 - DE Zach Harrison, Ohio State
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While Chicago doesn't have their own second-round pick - after trading it to the Steelers for wide receiver Chase Claypool - they did land a second-rounder from the Ravens after trading linebacker Roquan Smith.
With that No. 53 selection, the Bears go defense again with Ohio State defensive end Zach Harrison.
It's not just the defensive interior that needs work. The Bears had the worst pass rush last season, notching just 20 sacks in 17 games, and Harrison would help shore up the defensive end position.
As for that second-round (technically first-round) pick the Bears traded to the Steelers for Claypool, Pittsburgh lands Senior Bowl standout, center John Michael Schmitz from Minnesota at No. 32.
Story originally appeared on Bears Wire
