4 Bears players who will be impacted most by the 2023 NFL Draft

The harsh reality of the NFL Draft is that it not only welcomes a new class of players that fans can cheer for, but it also puts veterans on notice that their roster spot is in doubt. There will be several veteran players on the Chicago Bears whose tenure with the team will be in jeopardy after the early rounds of the 2023 draft, including a few at critical positions.

Here are four Bears players who will feel the heat by the time the 2023 NFL draft ends.

Larry Borom, OT

No player on the Chicago Bears will be impacted by the 2023 NFL Draft more than Borom. The 2021 fifth-round pick has had an admirable start to his career, logging 17 starts in two seasons. Borom was never supposed to be in this role, though, and the Bears need an upgrade. He’s proven to be a capable NFL bookend, but he’s better suited for backup duties. As of now, he’s the projected starter at right tackle. There’s almost no doubt that will change by the conclusion of the 2023 NFL Draft.

There’s a good chance the Chicago Bears’ first-round pick will be a player who replaces Borom. Prospects like Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. and Georgia’s Broderick Jones make too much sense. And even if the Bears wait to address offensive tackle until the second round, Syracuse’s Matthew Bergeron would be a massive upgrade.

Indeed, Borom’s 2023 roster spot should be safe. But it’ll be as the Chicago Bears’ swing tackle.

Khalil Herbert, RB

In my opinion, Herbert has earned a chance to prove he can be the Bears’ feature back in 2023. The free-agent signing of D’Onta Foreman clouds that projection, and if the Chicago Bears take a running back in the first two rounds, Herbert’s run as RB1 will be all but over.

There’s a growing sense that the Bears are a team to take seriously in the Bijan Robinson sweepstakes. Robinson is the top running back in the 2023 NFL Draft. His scouting report is clear: he’s an every-down offensive centerpiece. He won’t complement Herbert, he’ll replace him. And Foreman.

Even if the Chicago Bears don’t take a running back in Round 1, a Day 2 player like Zach Charbonnet will upend the depth chart. If Poles invests an early-round pick on a running back, it’ll be because the Bears will use him. Teams don’t spend a high selection on a runner unless he’s in their plans to start.

Herbert was already put on notice after Foreman’s addition. An early-round rookie will all but confirm the Chicago Bears don’t feel comfortable with him as the lead back.

Cody Whitehair, iOL

Whitehair has been the model of consistency for the Chicago Bears over the last seven seasons. He’s spent time as the team’s first-team center and guard, starting all 107 games he’s played. That said, Whitehair isn’t an All-Pro caliber lineman at this point in his career, and the Bears can move on from him next season with little financial hardship.

Whitehair will be on borrowed time if the Bears select Peter Skoronski in the first round. Skoronski is considered this year’s top offensive line prospect. His NFL fit is along the interior, and with Teven Jenkins and Nate Davis already on the roster, Whitehair will be the odd man out.

Trevis Gipson, Edge

Whenever a team finishes a season last in sacks, all rostered edge rushers must worry about their futures.

Gipson totaled just three sacks in 2022. He failed to emerge as the breakout player many projected he’d be.

Several quality edge defenders will be on the board when the Chicago Bears are on the clock in the first round. Prospects like Tyree Wilson and Myles Murphy are worthy of the Bears’ pick. They’re plug-and-play starters. If either is added at No. 9, Gipson will go from breakout candidate to being on the roster bubble this summer.

The free-agent additions of DeMarcus Walker and Rasheem Green have already put Gipson’s snap count in jeopardy. If an early-round edge rusher is added to the depth chart, Gipson’s best chance at a breakout season might be with another team.