The 2023 NFL draft is upon us, and Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has started building his second rookie draft class.
The Bears entered the draft with 10 selections, including the ninth overall pick, a pair of second-round picks and the top third-round selection. Chicago had a slew of needs to address, including defensive tackle, edge rusher and cornerback.
Here’s a look at the Bears’ draft picks:
- Round 1: Pick 10 (from PHI)
- Round 2, Picks 53, 56 (from JAX)
- Round 3, Pick 64
- Round 4, Picks 115 (from NO), 133 (from PHI)
- Round 5, Pick 148 (from NE via BAL), 165 (from NO)
- Round 7, Picks 218, 258 (compensatory)
Follow along with Bears Wire’s draft tracker, where we’ll have player information and analysis of each selection. Keep checking back for updates!
Round 1, Pick 10: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee
Pick: First round, 10th overall
Breakdown: Wright is an excellent fit for the wide zone scheme the Bears are running. He can displace linemen at the point of attack and should be athletic enough to get to linebackers and safeties at the second level. In pass protection, he’s solid when not asked to deal with speed rushers on an island. This means he’s likely playing right tackle. In addition, his lack of lateral quickness makes him a perfect fit for the play-action, RPO-style passing schemes that the Bears run. — Nate Atkins
Fit: A plug-and-play Day 1 starter at right tackle
Grade: A
Round 2, Pick 53: DT Gervon Dexter, Florida
Pick: Second round, 53rd overall
Breakdown: The Bears need a 1-technique or 3-technique to pair with Justin Jones, who can help stop the run. Chicago’s run defense was the second-worst in the NFL and will improve immediately with Dexter in the middle. While his effort runs hot and cold, he has a rare combination of size, strength, and speed that doesn’t come around often. He’ll become a dominant interior player if he buys into HITS and the Bears system. — Nate Atkins
Fit:Likely starter, rotational piece
Grade: B+
Round 2, Pick 56: CB Tyrique Stevenson, Miami
Pick: Second round, 56th overall
Breakdown: Stevenson is an excellent fit for the Bears’ Cover 2 scheme. Not only is he a high-motor player, but he’s willing to be physical and come up to stop the run. He has high potential if he can become more consistent in his technique. — Nate Atkins
Fit: Day 1 starter
Grade: A
Round 3, Pick 64: DT Zacch Pickens, South Carolina
Pick: Third round, 64th overall
Breakdown: After having the second-worst run defense last year, Chicago strengthened in the trenches, adding Pickens with the first pick of the third round. The South Carolina defensive tackle is an explosive one-gap run defender and upgrades the interior of the Bears’ defense. — Nate Atkins
Fit: Likely starter, rotational piece
Grade: B+
Round 4, Pick 115: RB Roschon Johnson, Texas
Pick: Fourth round, 115th overall
Breakdown: The Bears add a mid-round gem of a running back in Johnson, who didn’t get as much limelight due to playing behind the draft’s top running back Bijan Robinson, but he will fit in well in Chicago. Johnson runs hard, and possesses a good balance of power and elusiveness. — Jarrett Bailey
Fit: Back-up and core special teamer
Grade: A
Round 4, Pick 133: WR Tyler Scott, Cincinnati
Pick: Fourth round, 133rd overall
Breakdown: Scott is an absolute speedster (4.32 40-yard dash) who will present a vertical threat for quarterback Justin Fields. Scott averaged 44.6 yards per touchdown catch in college, according to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, and he has all of the makings of a big-play threat in this Bears offense. — Alyssa Barbieri
Fit: Back-up and core special teamer
Grade: B
Round 5, Pick 148: LB Noah Sewell, Oregon
Pick: Fifth round, 148th overall
Breakdown: Sewell, a three-year starter at Oregon, has the potential to be a steal for the Bears. He’s a high-motor, hard-hitting linebacker, who will provide solid depth on this Bears defense. — Alyssa Barbieri
Fit: Reserve and core special teamer
Grade: B
Round 5, Pick 165: CB Terell Smith, Minnesota
Pick: Fifth round, 165th overall
Breakdown: The Bears added depth to the secondary with Smith, who has a nice combination of size (6-1, 204-pounds), speed (4.41), and length (32 7/8). Smith has plenty of upside and could prove to be a late-round steal for Chicago. — Alyssa Barbieri
Fit: Depth piece, developmental prospect
Grade: B
Round 7, Pick 218: DT Travis Bell, Kennesaw State
Pick: Seventh round, 218th overall
Round 7, Pick 258: S Kendall Williamson, Stanford
Pick: Seventh round, 258th overall
