Getty Image / Robin Alam
The Chicago Bears have already made one big decision about how they want to approach this year’s NFL Draft.
They traded the draft’s top pick to the Carolina Panthers for the 9th pick, another 1st rounder, two 2nd rounders, and DJ Moore.
Now they have to make their next big decision. They have to figure out what to do with their new 1st-round pick.
There are plenty of options for the Bears as they have a whole lot of issues to address after putting together the NFL’s worst record in 2022.
With that in mind, it looks like there are currently 4 players the team is showing particular interest in.
According to Ben Devine, the Bears have had multiple meetings with Tyree Wilson, Jalen Carter, Paris Johnson, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The #Bears have met with these 1st-round prospects at least twice:
Tyree Wilson
Jalen Carter
Paris Johnson Jr
Jaxson Smith-NjigbaWho are you hoping Chicago drafts?
— Ben Devine (@Chicago_NFL) April 4, 2023
Before the NFL Combine, there were some who believed that the Bears should have been considering Carter with the first pick. His draft stock has taken some big hits since then, but Carter’s talent would make him a steal at 9 if he can get back on track.
Tyree Wilson would be a strong addition to a linebacker unit that lost Roquan Smith and would give a boost to a pass rush that created the league’s least sacks last season.
Drafting Paris Johnson would be a big step toward finally being able to protect Justin Fields after 2 seasons of him being one of the NFL’s most frequently sacked quarterbacks.
Taking JSN after trading for DJ Moore and Chase Claypool might be a bit much, but it would certainly put Fields in position to succeed after not having the greatest weapons so far in his career.
The Chicago Bears have plenty of enticing options with the 9th pick in this year’s draft, but they’ll need to make sure they pick the right one ofter a rough few years for their fans.