Mel Kiper Jr.’s First 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Maybe the Bears Trade Back, Maybe They Don’t

bears draft room

Nothing says we’re in the heart of winter like reading Mel Kiper Jr.’s first 2023 NFL mock draft of the year while snow falls outside your window.

There isn’t anyone who does mock drafts like Mel. And no one has been doing them for longer. And when the Chicago Bears have a first-round pick, I’m ready to pay more attention to the mock draft circuit than I have in recent years. Having the first pick helps. Especially when you consider the options the Bears have when it comes to what they can do with the pick.

With that in mind, Kiper lays out the situation thusly:

I thought long and hard about a trade here, with the Colts, Raiders and Panthers as the top candidates to move up for a quarterback. And if I’m Chicago general manager Ryan Poles and I can move down a few spots, add premium picks and still get my choice of the best defensive prospects, I’d make a deal. It takes two teams to make a trade, however, and that’s never a guarantee. For now, let’s stick with the Bears keeping this pick.

I keep reading this paragraph, but can’t do it without chuckling. Mostly because I find myself trying to get into Kiper’s shoes when trying to approach his first mock draft of 2023.

There is a non-zero chance Kiper wanted to mock a Bears trade-down. Not only does it make sense, he even rattled off the Colts, Raiders, and Panthers as teams that made sense. Kiper even made a note that trading down is something he would do if put in GM Ryan Poles’ shoes. But even with that being said, I feel as if Kiper found himself thinking: “A mock draft trade takes a lot to figure out and I’ve probably got a gazillion more of these I have to do, so I’m just going to pretend that it won’t happen. It’s easier that way.” And, in fairness, I get it.

So let’s move on to Kiper’s forecasted selection of Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter and the analysis that goes along with it.

Chicago’s roster needs help from top to bottom, but its defense was particularly dreadful in 2022, ranking last in the league in sacks (20) and points allowed per game (27.2). It has to be D all the way for wherever the Bears make their selection. Carter, an explosive interior pass-rusher and run-stuffer, gets the nod over Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. on my Big Board. He’s the best player in this draft, a Day 1 starter in the middle of this defense.

Firstly, I’d like to express my excitement to be inundated with mock drafts from now through the end of April. Secondly, I’m into Kiper sending Carter to Chicago. Not only because Carter is Kiper’s No. 1 prospect, but also because of Carter’s seemingly perfect fit within this defense. The Bears need a mother-trucker in the middle of the line. Someone who can stop the run, move the pocket, pressure the quarterback, and dictate the action in the trenches. They didn’t have that last year and it showed up on game tape and in the box score. Addressing that position should be a priority for the Bears this offseason. And doing so in the draft would be an absolute joy.

As for the rest of the top of the mock, you can check it out here:

We have 92 days between now and when the Bears officially go on the clock. And even though there have been two notable mock drafts that have Chicago standing pat, there are nearly three months for that to change. Stay tuned.

written by

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

REPORT: Bears to Announce Lakefront Stadium Plans on Wednesday

The Chicago Bears stadium saga has as many plot twists as my abuela's favorite telenovelas. And the latest suggests that a move to Arlington Heights that once felt inevitable isn't in the cards as WGN reports that plans for the...

The NFL Penalizing the Falcons For Tampering With Kirk Cousins Would Do the Bears a Favor

At first, the NFL tampering case involving the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings got a "ha ha" out of me because former Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace and wide receiver Darnell Mooney were secondary characters in the story. But little...

There He Goes: The Jets Are Trading Zach Wilson to the Broncos

And then there was one. There were five quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and only Trevor Lawrence remains with the team that selected him. That will be the case once the Zach Wilson trade...

Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Quarterbacks

The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team's four picks (Nos....

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Bears Get Bold & Go All In On Offense

It's Draft Week! After months of anticipation, the NFL's premier offseason event is finally here. We know how the first overall pick will go, but beyond that, we have a ton of unpredictability. Who will Washington take second? Will Arizona...

Happy NFL Draft Week! Bears Buzz, Prospect Notes, Rankings, and Other Bears Bullets

Happy NFL Draft Week! We finally made it. I'm so happy to be here. Let's boogie. There are just three days until the Chicago Bears go on the clock with the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Unless something...

The Bears Took A Different Approach When Hosting Caleb Williams For Dinner

Chicago Bears fans are about to enter their Caleb Williams era. And while it won't become officially official until Thursday, what is becoming more apparent with each passing day is how thorough the vetting process was for the Bears before...

This Bears-Patriots Draft Trade Hypothetical is Awfully Tempting

The 2024 NFL Draft is THIS WEEK. And you can expect the Chicago Bears to carry main character energy throughout the week. Armed with the No. 1 overall pick and a second top-10 selection, Chicago's football team will be at...

Murphy as a Bears Fit, Draft Fallback Plans, Harbaugh’s Tattoo, and Other Bears Bullets

I've been trying to make the most of my last weekend before NFL Draft Week begins for the Chicago Bears (and the other 31 teams in the league). Later today, I'll take a break from listening to the new Taylor...

Eberflus and Waldron Spark Cubs Offense, Newfound Caleb Love, Remembering Bill Tobin, and Other Bears Bullets

Sorry for the late version of post-brunch Bears Bullets. I'll make it up to you somehow. I don't want to lead off with somber news, but I do want to pay some respect to Bill Tobin. The former Bears exec...

Latest News

Best NBA Prop Bets for Tuesday, April 23, 2024

In a Tuesday NBA playoff slate that features three thrilling contests, the Phoenix Suns versus the Minnesota Timberwolves is a game to watch.Scroll down and you'll find NBA player prop bets for each and every game on today's slate --...

Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 23, 2024

The MLB lineup today, which includes the Boston Red Sox squaring off against the Cleveland Guardians as one of 15 contests, should provide some fireworks.If you're looking for MLB prop bets for today's games, we're here to help. Below you'll...

Red Sox vs. Guardians Probable Starting Pitchers – April 23

The Cleveland Guardians (16-6) face the Boston Red Sox (13-10) at home at Progressive Field on Tuesday, with first pitch at 6:10 PM ET. The Guardians enter the contest with a four-game winning streak.The Red Sox will call on Tanner...

WATCH: Jamal Murray Epic Buzzer-Beater Completes 101-99 Comeback Win Over Lakers

In case you were sleeping - which let's be honest a lot of us probably were - Jamal Murray hit an awesome buzzer-beater to give the Nuggets a 101-99 Game 2 win over the Lakers. Murray's game-winner was the icing...

Baltimore Ravens 3-Round Mock Draft: Who Will Fall to Pick 30?

Baltimore Ravens 3-Round Mock Draft - The Baltimore Ravens haven't strayed far from their identity in recent years – a physical running team anchored by a dominant defense. However, cracks are starting to show. The offensive line struggles to consistently open holes...

Los Angeles Rams 3-Round Mock Draft: Building the Trenches

Los Angeles Rams 3-Round Mock Draft - The echoes of the Rams' Super Bowl LVI victory have faded, replaced by the harsh realities of a roster in transition. Key veterans have departed, and the remaining core ages. The 2024 NFL Draft...

Washington Commanders 3-Round Mock Draft: Adding Depth Behind New Franchise QB

Washington Commanders 3-Round Mock Draft—After years of searching for a franchise quarterback, the Commanders hold the coveted second overall pick. The decision is clear: secure the organization's future under center. There's a top-down changing of the guard within the organization's decision-making structure,...

Two NL Central Pitchers Down: Miley and Montas

A couple injuries to note among other NL Central contenders, as each of the Brewers and Reds have taken a hit to their rotation. The presumption for now is short-term on each, but I suppose we'll see. First, you have...

Stars vs. Golden Knights NHL Playoffs First Round Game 2 Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The Dallas Stars are -142 on the moneyline against the Vegas Golden Knights (+130) on Wednesday, with this matchup taking place at American Airlines Center in Dallas.Stars vs. Golden Knights Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Stars (-142)Underdog: Golden Knights (+130)Total: 5.5Best Stars...

Oilers vs. Kings NHL Playoffs First Round Game 2 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings face off on Wednesday at Rogers Place in Edmonton, and the bookmakers like the home team (-180) over the visitor (+150).Oilers vs. Kings Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Oilers (-180)Underdog: Kings (+150)Total: 6Best Oilers vs....

more bears news