Chicago Bears

2023 NFL Draft: 3 reasons why the Chicago Bears should select an OT in Round 1

After trading the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers, the Chicago Bears remain in a powerful position in Round 1.

Armed with the ninth pick, GM Ryan Poles could find himself with every premier offensive line prospect still on the board. Four quarterbacks are expected to be picked in the first five or six selections. Will Anderson Jr. is a lock top-five guy. Add Jalen Carter, who should be a top six or seven selection, Tyree Wilson, and one of the top cornerbacks in this year’s class, and the Chicago Bears will have their pick of the offensive line litter.

Indeed, this scenario has been playing out in most mock drafts. According to NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus mock draft, the Bears end up with Paris Johnson Jr. in the first round. It’s an informative mock draft resulting from thousands of mock drafts tracked by NFLMDB.

Therefore, an offensive tackle to the Bears in Round 1 is a very likely outcome.

And it would be the right strategy for Poles. Here are three reasons why.

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