Another year, another NFL Combine is in the books. We saw history made this year as Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy ran the fastest 40-yard dash ever recorded (4.21 seconds), and we also got a clearer picture of what the Chicago Bears intend to do at quarterback thanks to NFL Insider Albert Breer, whose reporting leads one to believe that Ryan Poles is already sold on Caleb Williams.
With so many memorable Combine performances fresh in mind, let's run a post-NFL Combine 3-round mock draft for the Bears.
In this mock draft, despite the uncertainty surrounding Justin Fields' trade value around the NFL, I have him going to the Atlanta Falcons on a deal similar to the trade that sent Alex Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs: a second-round pick in 2024 and a conditional pick in 2025.
I also have the Bears trading back from 9th overall with the Philadelphia Eagles. Chicago moves from nine to 22 while picking up a second-round pick in 2024 and 2025.
Now, let's get to the picks.
1.01 (via CAR) Caleb Williams - Quarterback, USC
By most accounts, the Bears want to draft a quarterback first overall and the obvious choice is Caleb Williams. You can read his scouting report here if you like, but this pick requires no justification. Williams is a fantastic talent who, if not generational, is a hair away from it. He would be from Day 1 the most talented passer in Chicago's history. Time to get excited, Bears fans.
1.22 (via PHI) Jackson Powers-Johnson - Center, Oregon
Powers-Johnson has seen a meteoric rise in his draft stock this year, starting the 2023 CFB season as a relative unknown until this past week at the NFL Combine where it is widely believed that he will be the first Center selected. While his Combine performance was not exactly the stuff of legends, his measurables were good and he displayed his incredible power in blocking drills. Plus, when asked about his meeting with the Bears, powers-Johnson gave a hearty 'Daaa Bears' as he walked into the room.
The Bears need a dominant Center to stabilize the interior of the offensive line, and that's what they'd get in Jackson Powers-Johnson.
2.43 (via ATL) Ladd McConkey - Wide Receiver, Georgia
The Bears miss out on the top receivers in this draft class, but the position is so deep this year that it shouldn't matter much. McConkey scored an 8.88 out of 10 on his RAS, but it would have been much higher if he wasn't a smaller receiver, checking in at just below 6-feet and 186 pounds. He did run a 4.39 40-yard dash and posted a 36-inch vertical, and my favorite comp for McConkey, though he's slightly bigger than this player, is Tank Dell of the Houston Texans. Both are smaller guys with elite route running, and I think we could see McConkey have a similar outsized impact right away, especially if a rookie phenom quarterback is throwing him the ball.
2.50 (via PHI) Adisa Isaac - Defensive End, Penn State
Like wide receiver, the Bears already have one top-shelf option at defensive end, but they need another player to really get things going. Unable to draft a Dallas Turner or Laiatu Latu, the Bears pick up a solid Day 2 option in Isaac. He scored a 'good, not great' 8.82 out of 10 for his RAS and has good length with nearly 34-inch arm length. He's a little on the smaller side but makes up for it with those long arms and explosive athleticism. His ceiling is high, and with coaching from Eric Washington and Matt Eberflus, he could reach it in Chicago.
3.75 Cole Bishop - Safety, Utah
I wanted to double-dip at receiver here, but the Bears will need a replacement for Eddie Jackson, and I'm too big of a fan of Bishop to pass on him in Round 3. Bishop crushed his combine, posting a RAS of 9.82 out of 10 and measuring 6-foot-2 and 206 pounds. It may take him a little while to find his footing and settle in at the NFL level, but, like Adisa Isaac, I believe that he can become a very good pro with good coaching.
