Gas Money Bob’s 2023 Bears Draft Preview

It’s NFL Draft day! Time to take a break from this exciting White Sox season and dive into the future Hall of Fame players Ryan Poles and the Bears will draft starting tonight.

When I’m looking at players there are 3 main things I look for.

1. Can he jump out of a pool?
2. Did his teammates go to his birthday party?
3. Can he excel in Bear Weather?

None of us know exactly how the draft will fall and what Ryan Poles is thinking but this is what he should do, in my opinion, if these players are available when we pick.

Rnd 1 Pick 9 (from CAR): Paris Johnson Jr OT Ohio State University

We need to protect Justin Fields. When you look at JF’s passing highlights he’s dangerous when he gets just a little bit of time. Drafting PJ gives us a player that has played with Fields, loves the Bears organization and has played great in Bear type Weather at OSU. This would give us our starting left tackle for the next decade.

Rnd 2 Pick 53 (from BAL): Mazi Smith DT Michigan

The Bears run D was garbage and that all starts at the defensive line. Smith would give a us a big boy in the middle of the line to stuff the run and blow up the pocket. Playing at Michigan gives him valuable cold weather playing experience.

Rnd 2 Pick 61 (From SF via CAR): Adetomiwa Adebawore EDGE Northwestern

Like the defensive interior the pass rush was atrocious as well. AA brings in some great athleticism and it doesn’t hurt he played in the Chicagoland area (Bear Weather). He’ll be able to handle the weather, shed blocks, and make the opposing QB’s life a living hell. He can be used on the EDGE but he could also work on the interior. Explosive, powerful and I assume smart.

Rnd 3 Pick 64: DJ Turner CB Michigan

There are some decent WRs in the division so the more the merrier in the secondary. DJ has great athleticism, ball skills and smarts. Playing at Michigan gives him an advantage playing in Bear Weather.

Rnd 4 Pick 103: Luke Wypler C Ohio State University

Back to building the O-Line. Wypler needs to work a little on holding up the bull rush but in his final 2 seasons at OSU he only gave up 14 QB hurries and 1 sack over 26 games.  He’s a good fit in the zone running scheme and of course has played in Bear type Weather in Ohio.

Rnd 4 Pick 133: DeMarvion Overshown LB Texas

We spent a lot of money at LB in free agency so we’re pretty set there, but we need depth and Special teams contributors and DeMarvion would be a great fit. He is a former safety turned linebacker and we all know how that works in Chicago.

Rnd 5 Pick 136: Chase Brown RB Illinois

I realize Chase might not be available here but let’s pretend he is. He is a good fit for the zone running scheme the Bears run and since he played at U of I you know he can handle the weather. He can contribute early on special Teams and add depth before possibly taking over as the lead back in a season or two.

Rnd 5 Pick 148: DJ Johnson EDGE Oregon

Sure he punched an Oregon State fan on the field at the end of the season but that is most likely why he will slip to us here and I love the fire and passion it takes to swing at fans. Would any of us care if he knocked out a Packer fan one day? With some coaching he can become a very good pass rusher.

Rnd 7 Pick 218: Trey Palmer WR Nebraska

Another guy that might not be there but who knows. He needs work with his route running but his 4.33 speed could help stretch the field and on Special Teams.

Rnd 7 Pick 258: Alex Ward LS UCF

One of the most important things you can do is create competition. I love Patrick Scales but it will only help to bring in Ward to push him and possibly even take over at long snapper. If he doesn’t win the position battle I can see him as a practice squad guy for much needed depth at the position.

Obviously if Poles takes my advice and this group of players fall to him our Super Bowl window will be wide open. I’m looking forward to watching tonight and this weekend not just for our future stars but to watch the Packers pick bust after bust. BEAR DOWN!

-GMB