The Chicago Bears are sitting at No. 9 in the NFL draft after trading the first overall pick to the Carolina Panthers in a package that included two first-rounders, two second-rounders and wide receiver DJ Moore.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper unveiled his latest NFL mock draft following the first week of free agency, where quarterbacks are in high demand in the top five picks.
Despite trading back eight spots — and outside the top five — Chicago still manages to land a top prospect in Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. at ninth overall.
While the Bears could be in play for a defensive lineman here — particularly if Jalen Carter drops — I see offensive tackle as their biggest hole after their moves in free agency. They added guard Nate Davis to start on the right side, but are they really trusting Teven Jenkins to lock in the right tackle job? They could have their choice of the class’ tackles here. Johnson played both tackle spots and right guard for the Buckeyes, and he already has blocked for quarterback Justin Fields. Chicago needs to keep supporting Fields and get him a stellar lineman with this pick, and it could still address the defense with its two second-round picks (Nos. 53 and 61) and early third-rounder (No. 64).
Following the first wave of free agency, the two biggest positions of need remain defensive line and offensive tackle, an indication one of those is the pick at No. 9.
Johnson is considered one of the top tackles in this draft class, alongside Peter Skoronoski and Broderick Jones. When looking at the Bears’ offensive line, there’s a glaring hole at right tackle, which would make the Johnson selection a solid one. While Johnson played exclusively at left tackle, Chicago could choose to kick Johnson to right tackle and keep Braxton Jones on the left side or vice versa.
