All eyes are on the Bears ahead of the 2023 NFL draft, as they hold the No. 1 pick. No one expects them to stay put and draft a quarterback, as they already have Justin Fields. Which means it’s a matter of finding a trade partner to move back, acquire additional picks and still land a top prospect.
In this new mock draft, CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso has the Bears finding a trade partner in the Colts. For Chicago to move back three spots, they land substantial draft capital — Indianapolis’ first (No. 4), second (No. 35) and fourth-round (No. 106) picks in 2023, as well as a 2024 first-rounder and third-rounder and a second-round pick in 2025.
With that No. 4 pick, the Bears land a generational edge rusher in Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr., who many have pegged as the best prospect in this draft class.
Anderson gives me serious Khalil Mack vibes, which makes this perfect for the Bears, particularly after trading back. In the trade, the Bears get this pick, the Colts’ selections in Round 2 and Round 4 along with a 2024 first-round pick and third-round pick plus a 2025 second-round choice.
First, the compensation. After all, that’s the name of the game for a Bears team not in need of quarterback that currently holds the top selection. A lot of mocks have the Colts trading their 2023 first (No. 4) and second-round (No. 35) picks, along with a first-rounder in 2024. That’s in play with this scenario, along with an additional pick in 2023 (No. 106) and a third-rounder in 2024 and second-round selection in 2025.
As we’ve seen from GM Ryan Poles, he’s big on value, building through the draft and loading up on picks. I don’t see why that would change with Chicago in this situation, where Poles will look to get significant value for the top spot.
Next, the pick. Throughout the draft process, it’s been a back-and-forth between Anderson and Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Both would be great picks for a Bears defensive line that was arguably the worst in the league in 2022.
Following the trades of Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn over the last year, Anderson would help shore up the league’s worst pass rush, which totaled just 20 sacks in 17 games last season.
