Will the Chicago Bears shock the NFL and draft Lukas Van Ness in 1st round?

If you’ve read enough Chicago Bears 2023 mock drafts, you know most projections involve an offensive lineman at No. 9. But that isn’t true in NFL.com’s latest mock draft from Lance Zierlein.

What makes Zierlein’s mock draft interesting is that he doesn’t send a player like Jalen Carter or one of the top cornerback prospects to the Chicago Bears. Instead, they end up with Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness in the first round.

“A big-time athletic tester with upside, Van Ness has the potential to play multiple spots along the defensive front,” Zierlein wrote. “His best football is still ahead of him.”

Van Ness measured 6-foot-5 and 272 pounds at the 2023 NFL Combine. He ran a remarkable 4.58 40-yard dash and solidified his first-round grade with explosive on-field drills.

Lukas Van Ness would be a good fit for the Chicago Bears’ defense

Lukas Van Ness appeared in 26 games over the last two seasons for Iowa. He totaled 13 sacks and 19 tackles for loss and is viewed as a player who’s still developing. He wasn’t a starter for the Hawkeyes. But that’s because he was an underclassman, few players on Iowa’s defense come close to Van Ness’ natural ability.

I know this is only one play but look what Lukas Van Ness does to Peter Skoronski here #DaBears #NFLdraft pic.twitter.com/3ShziKqDqw

— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) March 22, 2023

Van Ness would be a Week 1 starter for a Chicago Bears defense that was the worst in the NFL at getting to the quarterback. He has the physical makeup and athletic traits to become a productive edge rusher for coach Matt Eberflus, assuming he continues his developmental trajectory.

Some Bears fans will view this pick as a reach. But according to NFL Mock Draft Database, most mock drafts have Lukas Van Ness as the Philadelphia Eagles’ selection at No. 10. If Chicago takes him at No. 9, it’ll be a fair draft slot for a player with his talent.

Still, I can’t see any scenario that doesn’t involve an offensive tackle in the first round. If the Chicago Bears don’t end up with Paris Johnson Jr., Peter Skoronski, or Broderick Jones in Round 1, it’ll likely be due to Carter sliding to No. 9 or GM Ryan Poles trading back.