Bears land familiar name in latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is 11 months away, and the 2022 NFL season hasn’t kicked off yet. We still haven’t even made it to training camp. But it’s always draft season, right? And for a Chicago Bears team that’s beginning this season with low expectations, fans have to keep an eye on the 2023 draft narrative. If the Bears are as bad as many predict, they’ll end the year with a top-10 pick. So, yeah, mock drafts will be relevant all year, including now.

Sports Illustrated published an updated 2023 mock draft Monday that’s worth mentioning for two reasons. First, it has the Bears picking at No. 8 overall. Not great. Second, they land one of the top wide receivers in next year’s class in LSU’s Kayshon Boutte. General manager Ryan Poles bucked football media with his decision to prioritize defense in the second round of the 2022 draft, but with a scenario like this mock draft potentially on the horizon in 2023, his strategy will pay off in spades.

Kayshon Boutte will ____ next season @LSUfootballpic.twitter.com/VlOXIqMlvo

— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 21, 2022

Ryan Poles’ 2022 draft strategy could pay off in a big way in 2023

Suppose the Bears experience growing pains this fall, and they finish as one of the 10-worst teams in the NFL. In that case, Poles will have a chance to end his first two drafts with cornerback Kyler Gordon, safety Jaquan Brisker, and a receiver like Boutte as his first three significant draft selections. Assuming Gordon is as good as we think he is, having him on the roster instead of a receiver like George Pickens or Alec Pierce will be a big win if Chicago lands a special pass-catcher from the 2023 class.

Boutte joins Ohio State’s Jaxson Smith-Njigba and Pitt’s Jordan Addison as the top three receivers to begin the college football season. All three project to be early first-round picks. Even if the Bears push for a .500 record or better, there’s a chance they’ll land one of these top pass-catchers in the middle portion of Round 1.

Is there a possibility Velus Jones Jr. is the answer for the Bears? Can he combine with Darnell Mooney to form an explosive wide receiver tandem that’s just beginning their prime years? Absolutely. But today’s NFL is an arms race, and the more weapons Chicago can add on offense, the better their chances at accomplishing Poles’ goal of sustained success.

Much will change between now and the 2023 NFL Draft. However, what won’t change are mock drafts sending Chicago a wide receiver in the first round. Get used to it.