The Chicago Bears will have no shortage of options with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The first choice among Bears fans is for general manager Ryan Poles to trade down with a quarterback-needy team. In a perfect world, he’ll trade down twice. But if the trade market runs cold, Poles can remain at the first pick and select one of this year’s elite defensive prospects.
That choice will come down to two players: Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter and Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. Both offer elite upside at areas of weakness in the Bears’ defense, but it’s Carter who could potentially have the biggest impact.
Coach Matt Eberflus’ defensive scheme relies heavily on the three-technique defensive tackle. It’s the position Justin Jones manned in 2022, and while he put together a solid year, Carter’s upside as an interior disruptor is on another level.
According to NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, Jalen Carter’s upside is so high that he reminds him of former Tampa Bay Buccaneer great Warren Sapp.
Jeremiah said Carter is the best player in the 2023 NFL Draft.
