Ohio State will conduct its 2023 NFL Draft Pro Day Wednesday, and Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus will be in attendance to watch a slew of prospects who will be on the team's radar later next month.
The headliners for the Bears are offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Both are strong candidates to be Chicago's pick at No. 9 overall, with Johnson the more likely of the pair. The Bears haven't addressed offensive tackle in free agency, leaving a gaping hole in their starting lineup. Meanwhile, their trade for DJ Moore pushes wide receiver down their list of needs.
Johnson and Smith-Njigba are just two of the talented players who'll show off their skills in Columbus. Here are the players who are scheduled to perform:
CB Cam Brown
DL Jerron Cage
LB Palaie Gaoteote IV
DL Zach Harrison
S Ronnie Hickman
OT Paris Johnson Jr.
OT Dawand Jones
S Tanner McCalister
LS Bradley Robinson
FB/TE Mitch Rossi
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
QB C.J. Stroud
DL Taron Vincent
C Luke Wypler
Dawand Jones was one of the 2023 Senior Bowl's biggest winners, but his physical makeup may not fit what Poles values in offensive linemen. Luke Wypler, on the other hand, has the athletic traits that would make him a perfect fit as a center in Luke Getsy's offense. I recently sent Wypler to the Bears in the second round of a three-round mock draft on Bears Talk's YouTube channel: