The Chicago Bears have just four games left this season, but the focus has already shifted to the 2023 offseason, where GM Ryan Poles will be tasked with building a winning roster in Year 2.
The good news is he’ll have plenty to work with, as the Bears are slated to have north of $120 million in salary cap space and eight draft picks (including what’s projected to be a top-three selection).
Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling released his latest two-round 2023 mock draft ahead of bowl season, where he has Chicago addressing significant needs on defense and offense.
With the No. 2 overall pick, Easterling has the Bears landing a generational talent in Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson, who would address a big weakness off the edge.
Obviously, the Bears’ prime objective in the offseason needs to be building around Justin Fields on offense, but that can be done in many different ways. In this scenario, their best bet is to take the top overall prospect in the draft, as Anderson immediately replaces the impact the defense lost when they traded away Robert Quinn.
No doubt a main focus will be building around quarterback Justin Fields, who has emerged as one of the NFL’s most electric players — and he did it without a strong supporting cast. There are questions along the offensive line, so the expectation is Poles will target the offensive line both in free agency and the NFL draft.
Easterling has Chicago selecting Maryland left tackle Jaelyn Duncan with the No. 56 pick, the one acquired from the Ravens in the Roquan Smith trade.
There are questions at tackle, but it all depends on how Poles feels about fifth-round rookie Braxton Jones, who’s done a solid job at left tackle this year.
