Perfect Picks 2023: Chicago Bears

By Lee Wakefield

With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.

We will highlight four players that could help each team. This will feature picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper.

Round 1 - Darnell Wright (Offensive Tackle, Tennessee)

The Bears gave up the rights to the first overall selection in their recent trade with the Panthers and in doing so, they moved back to the ninth pick. Whilst the slide back is a little further than I would have personally liked to have done, I still feel they are in an excellent position to pick up a difference-maker for their franchise long term.

Despite performing on the right side of the offensive line, as opposed to the left, I don’t feel that this should deter a team from selecting Darnell Wright in this range. Wright was a starter as a Freshman at Tennessee, he has played at both tackle spots and has some extremely impressive film from his time in Knoxville. None more so than when he locked down Will Anderson when Tennessee faced Alabama this past season.

Wright has long arms, he’s athletic, and is a proven pass protector, and 507 pass blocking snaps without giving up a sack in 2022 is a testament to that.

Personally, I believe that due to team’s tendency to load up on pass rushers and move them all around the formation, offensive lines need two top-tier tackles in the modern NFL, so playing the 9th overall pick at right tackle, isn’t something I have a problem with.

Justin Fields showed some progression toward the back end of the year last year and just needs to be given some more protection – Something I’ve addressed in this mock, with some interior help coming later on too.

Round 2 - Felix Anudike-Uzomah (Edge Rusher, Kansas State)

The Bears are rebuilding and the best place to start is by fortifying each of the two lines and building your team outward from there.

With the first of two second-round picks, both from Kansas State, I am giving the Bears Felix Anudike-Uzomah, to add some firepower to the defensive line in The Windy City.

This is important because the pass rush in Chicago right now is a little limp, to say the least, with a pair of previous fifth-round picks listed as the starting defensive ends in Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson.

Anudike-Uzomah is a solid, power rusher with a productive career in Manhattan (not that one) under his belt. He has the quickness and length which almost feels like a prerequisite of an NFL pass rusher nowadays, but he also has film that show somewhat of a developed plan and an array of moves when it comes to hunting QBs.

Felix needs to become better as a run defender, and probably isn’t a player who can turn a franchise around on his own, but he should be a very solid member of the Bears defensive line for a long time.

Mid Round Gem - Dontayvion Wicks (Wide Receiver, Virginia)

Chicago landed DJ Moore in the trade with the Panthers, and he will fill the WR1 role for them, which was not only a great piece to land and really tip the scales of this trade well in the Bears’ favour (in my opinion), but it also allows Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney to fill the WR2 and 3 roles that they are more suited to.

Despite the addition of Moore, and the presence of Equamineous St. Brown and Velus Jones on the roster, Chicago could still make use of further depth at receiver, hence why I am giving them Dontayvion Wicks here.

Wicks is actually remarkably similar in stature and build to Moore, with Wicks standing at 6’1 and 206lbs, with Moore around 6’, 210lbs. They both posted excellent jumps at the Combine, and whilst Moore is quicker, I think Wicks has enough speed to be dangerous in the NFL.

Wicks can be a redzone threat and adds an innate ability to simply get open and be a chain-mover to the Bears’ offense the moment he’s drafted. He may be physically similar to Moore but actually plays like someone of the size of Chase Claypool, who is a player I think plays smaller than he is.

Wicks can climb the ladder, rising up to go and get a ball, making his quarterback’s job easier, and will add a different style of receiver for Justin Fields.

Late Round Sleeper - Jerome Carvin (Offensive Guard, Tennessee)

Another offensive lineman to help to keep Justin Fields upright and a second Tennessee lineman! If Jerome Carvin is still available in the seventh round, every team in the NFL should want to grab him, so for me, this is a bargain pick at such a late stage of the draft.

Carvin has all the credentials to be the perfect depth lineman early in his NFL career before he develops and moves into a starting role in the future.

Carvin has 42 career starts, coming at both guard spots and center at various stages. Lukas Patrick and Cody Whitehair only have one and two years remaining on their contract respectively, so Carvin would already be on board as a ready-made replacement for either, as well as providing injury cover across in interior of the line.

Carvin would also have an in-built bonus of having instant chemistry with Darnell Wright if this whole mock draft scenario played out.

As well as his versatility, Carvin can boast a nastiness in the run game, which perfectly complements the power with which he plays, which gives him a great baseline level from which to grow in the NFL, and build towards out-performing this draft position.

Draft In Full:

Round 1 – Darnell Wright (Offensive Tackle, Tennessee)

Round 2 – Felix Anudike-Uzomah (Edge Rusher, Kansas State)

Round 2 – Julius Brents (Cornerback, Kansas State)

Round 3 – Mazi Smith (Defensive Tackle, Michigan)

Round 4 – Will McDonald IV (Edge Rusher, Iowa State)

Round 4 – Ricky Stromberg (Center, Arkansas)

Round 5 – Dontayvion Wicks (Wide Receiver, Virginia)

Round 5 – Eric Gray (Running Back, Oklahoma)

Round 7 – Jerome Carvin (Offensive Guard, Tennessee)

Round 7 – Davis Allen (Tight End, Clemson)

Lee Wakefield has covered the NFL and College Football for a number of publications, including Full 10 Yards & First And 10. Chargers Sufferer. Currently a contributor for With THe First Pick. @Wakefield90 on twitter.

 5/5