Bucky Brooks Mock Draft: Chicago Bears stay at No. 1, select elite defender

Armed with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears are the key that will unlock the first round. It’s early in the NFL draft cycle, and mock drafts are in their first iteration. NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks published his first mock of the year, and he sent the Bears a familiar name.

In Brooks’ mock, the Chicago Bears keep their pick. And they use it on Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr.

“Head coach Matt Eberflus needs a disruptive edge rusher to make his version of the Tampa 2 defense work,” Brooks wrote.

Anderson is my top choice if the Bears keep the top pick, primarily because of his impact on opposing passing games. With the NFL being a pass-first league, adding an edge rusher as talented as Anderson changes how teams attack Chicago.

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Will Anderson Jr. has elite upside as an NFL pass rusher

Will Anderson Jr. totaled 27.5 sacks over the last two seasons for Alabama, including a remarkable 17.5 in 2021. He earned an 84.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus last season and a pass-rush score of 84.9. He’s been a one-man wrecking crew for the Crimson Tide since his true freshman season and has long been considered the favorite to be the first non-quarterback selected in the 2023 NFL draft.

Anderson isn’t a perfect prospect, as he needs to improve as a finisher. He lets some tackle opportunities slip by, but it’s far from a fatal flaw. His ability to blow up plays in the backfield is special and helps scouts overlook some of his missed stops.

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Bears are more likely to add Will Anderson later in Round 1

The most likely 2023 NFL draft scenario for the Chicago Bears isn’t a selection at No. 1 overall. Instead, the Bears are expected to trade out of the top pick with a quarterback-needy team like the Indianapolis Colts, who currently hold the No. 4 overall pick.

The Bears could still end up with Will Anderson Jr. in a trade-back scenario, assuming a team like the Arizona Cardinals doesn’t snatch him up with the No. 3 overall pick.

Regardless of how or when Will Anderson Jr. becomes a Chicago Bear, it would be a pick viewed as a home run by Bears fans and NFL draft analysts. Teams rarely get an opportunity to add a player with his game-changing upside. Now, it’s up to general manager Ryan Poles to ensure Anderson doesn’t slip away.

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