Pre-Gamin’: The 2023 NFL Draft (7:00 CT): Bears Picks, Needs, Broadcast Info, Draft Thread, More
Finally!
NFL Draft Day is here.
And the Chicago Bears will have their own first-round pick for the first time since 2021.
It has felt like a long, arduous road to get here. But we’ve made it.
Let’s pick some winners, shall we?
Draft Info
Location: Kansas City
Dates and rounds: April 27 (Round 1), April 28 (Rounds 2-3), April 29 (Rounds 4-7)
Round 1 start time: 7 p.m. CT
How to watch/stream: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, NFL.com/watch
Bears Picks
Thursday
Round 1: Pick 9
The last time they had a first-rounder, the Bears picked this guy:
I like to think this turned out well. At least it has to this point.
So … how about getting Mr. Fields some help? Maybe someone who can block for him in the trenches. Or perhaps a playmaker who does big things with the ball in his hands. However the cookie crumbles, there is nothing like having a first-round pick for the first time since 2021 to get your juices flowing.
Friday
Round 2: Picks 53 and 61
Round 3: Pick 64
Ok, so the Velus Jones Jr. pick didn’t go as we would’ve liked. But it wasn’t a total loss, as VJJ appeared to find his footing late in the season. At least the Bears did well in Round 2 last year drafting starters at cornerback (Kyler Gordon) and safety (Jaquan Brisker). I wouldn’t mind history repeating itself with the Bears snagging two starters on Day 2 for a second straight draft.
Saturday
Round 4: Picks 103 and 133
Round 5: Picks 136 and 148
Round 6: None
Round 7: Picks 218 and 258
Day 3 is when GM Ryan Poles was at his best last year. Credit poles and his staffers for landing a starting left tackle (Braxton Jones, Round 5) and a useful punter (Trenton Gill, Round 7) on Day 3 after creating picks out of thin air. We might look back at this draft more fondly if O-linemen Doug Kramer or Ja’Tyre Carter make progress as developmental prospects. Maybe defensive end Dominique Robinson (Round 5) can find more consistency in his game as a second-year player. Perhaps running back Trestan Ebner (Round 6) will seize the opportunity that comes with challenging a free-agent addition for snaps.
Based on last year’s results, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Bears finish Saturday making more than six picks.
Five Bears Needs
• Offensive tackle
• Defensive end
• Defensive tackle
• Cornerback
• Interior offensive linemen
First-Round Order
1st: Carolina Panthers
2nd: Houston Texans
3rd: Arizona Cardinals
4th: Indianapolis Colts
5th: Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)
6th: Detroit Lions (from LA Rams)
7th: Las Vegas Raiders
8th: Atlanta Falcons
9th: Chicago Bears (from Panthers)
10th: Philadelphia Eagles (from Saints)
11th: Tennessee Titans
12th: Houston Texans (from Browns)
13th: Green Bay Packers (from New York Jets)
14th: New England Patriots
15th: New York Jets (from Green Bay Packers)
16th: Washington Commanders
17th: Pittsburgh Steelers
18th: Detroit Lions
19th: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20th: Seattle Seahawks
21st: Los Angeles Chargers
22nd: Baltimore Ravens
23rd: Minnesota Vikings
24th: Jacksonville Jaguars
25th: New York Giants
26th: Dallas Cowboys
27th: Buffalo Bills
28th: Cincinnati Bengals
29th: New Orleans Saints (from 49ers through Dolphins through Broncos)
30th: Philadelphia Eagles
31st: Kansas City Chiefs
Draft Thread
Your draft thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun. It’s good to be back talking about picking in the first round. Hopefully, this pick is someone we talk about for many days, months, and years to come. Preferably for all the right reasons.
