NFL.com gives Bears high grade for 2023 NFL draft class

The Chicago Bears enjoyed a successful 2023 NFL Draft, adding several new starters and contributors among the 10 selections made by GM Ryan Poles.

We won’t know just how successful this year’s class is until they get on the field, but the early NFL Draft grades have been nice to read.

Take NFL.com, for example. They gave the Chicago Bears an A- for their 2023 draft haul.

“Chicago received a bounty from the Panthers for the No. 1 pick, then traded down one spot in the first round while still getting the lineman it needed in Wright,” NFL.com’s Chad Reuter wrote. “Dexter and Pickens bolster the defensive line when on their game and Stevenson could start as a rookie. The value of trading a second-rounder for receiver Chase Claypool is to be determined.

‘Johnson looks like a power back but can avoid defenders as well as run through their tackle attempts. Scott’s agility and burst after the catch made him a nice fourth-round find. Sewell is a much better football player than his fifth-round status might indicate. Smith has the athleticism and cover skills to contribute as a rookie.”

Poles addressed several needs with quality players during draft weekend. Many of the prospects he selected were former five-star recruits who could be better pros than college players. For example, defensive linemen Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens have incredible upside once Matt Eberflus and his staff coach them up.

The most important pick, however, is the first one, right tackle Darnell Wright. He’ll begin his Chicago Bears career with the incredible responsibility of keeping Justin Fields safe. He has the skills and mindset to quickly emerge as one of the NFL’s top offensive tackles, but we won’t know for sure until the bullets fly on Sundays this fall.

“I embrace expectations upon myself,” Wright said at Halas Hall Friday. “I have expectations upon myself bigger than just football. I have expectations to take care of my family. I don’t know what my role for the team is, but whatever that role is I’m going to take it full on and do my best I can.”