Free Agency
Bears sign DT Dre'Mont Jones to 4 years 74 million
Jones could be the explosive three-technique the Bears are looking for, and he’s only 26 years old, which means his best football is still ahead of him. He’s been a dominant presence in the interior, where he’s made things difficult for opposing offensive lines.
Jones has posted at least 5.5 sacks in each of the last three seasons, and he’d bring an interior pass rush that Chicago has lacked. According to PFF, Jones’ 138 quarterback pressures ranks 19th among defensive tackles since 2019, and he has the 11th best pass-rush win rate over the last four seasons (14.5 percent).
Bears sign C Connor McGovern to 2 years 24 million
McGovern is coming off of his best year, where he cleaned up his game and improved, mostly as a pass protector. He went from 40 pressures allowed in 2018 to 15 in 2019 and did not commit a single penalty after committing six the season before.
He has experience at right guard and center, which gives the Bears options of deployment. They can take snapping away from Cody Whitehair again, or they can move McGovern back to right guard. He is just 26 years old and would add to an already young interior core that could develop together for years to come.
Bears sign DE Zach Allen to 3 years 30 million
However, when Matt Eberflus was Colts defensive coordinator he always liked at least one end who is around 280. His defenses were at their best in 2020 when they moved 285-pound tackle Denico Autry to defensive end. Autry made 7 1/2 sacks and nine tackles for loss then after DeForest Buckner had come to the team as a defensive tackle to play Autry's old spot.
Bears sign WR Kenny Golladay to 1 year 3.5 million
The Bears don’t have much to be excited about when it comes to receivers. Golladay hasn’t played well in recent years so it isn’t like he would be this superstar with the Bears but he has proven in his career that he can be a reliable receiver when things are going well.
Draft
* Bears trade 2023 first round pick (#1) to the Raiders for 2023 first round pick (#7), 2023 second round pick (#38), 2024 first round pick, 2025 first round pick
Raiders draft QB Bryce Young
Texans draft QB CJ Stroud
Cardinals draft DE Will Anderson Jr
Colts draft QB Will Levis
Seahawks draft DT Jalen Carter
Lions draft DE Tyree Wilson
1 [7] OT Paris Johnson [Ohio State] 6'6 313lbs
NFL Comparison
Brian O’Neill
Overview
Long, athletic tackle in need of additional technique work but possessing the traits to become a long-time starter on the left side. Johnson is still filling out his frame and he should get stronger. He’s much better as a move blocker than man blocker but he can bridge that gap with more coaching. He’s loose and quick in pass protection but will need to add core strength and get better with inside hands to prevent edge defenders from bypassing his anchor. Johnson’s athletic tools and position versatility are advantageous but the going could be a little bumpy early on before he settles in.
2 [38] DE Keion White [Georgia Tech] 6'5 285lbs
NFL Comparison
John Franklin-Myers
Overview
Athletic big man offering scheme versatility and projectable upside. White has good short-area quickness as well as speed in space. He lacks consistent early phase technique to control the rep, but his recovery talent, hustle and athletic traits put him in position to get in on the action. His pass rush is predictable and lacks focus, but he’s bendy and could take a big leap forward in this department provided the coaching catches up with the physical gifts. He’s still in the developmental phase, but his physical/athletic profile gives him a chance to become a plus starter as a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive end.
2 [56] WR Tyler Scott [Cincinnati] 5'10 187lbs
NFL Comparison
T.Y. Hilton
Overview
While the comparison to T.Y. Hilton might raise some eyebrows, Scott is a similar player in body type, speed and versatility. With just two seasons of starting experience at receiver, his route running and ball skills are almost certain to continue to improve and become less of an issue for him in the future. He has the speed and shiftiness to uncover on all three levels. Also, he offers jet sweep and receiver screen value. A smallish frame and lack of hand strength are likely to continue to plague him on contested catches, though. Scott is an ascending talent whose versatility and playmaking talent create an easily projectable upside as a good starting slot receiver early in his career.
3 [65] WR Jonathan Mingo [Mississippi] 6'2 220lbs
NFL Comparison
Anquan Boldin
Overview
Big, strong slot receiver possessing the mental and physical toughness to outperform his speed limitations. The career production is nothing special, but it’s clear he’s put time and effort into his craft. He runs crisp, well-paced routes and ramps up his focus when it’s time to go get the football. A lack of separation burst and long speed could make for more contested catches, but he has the body type and willingness for that work. Mingo can get tough yards after the catch and is an above-average blocker. He has the skill level and demeanor to become a starting slot receiver for teams using 11 personnel (three WRs) as their base offense.
4 [103] G TJ Bass [Oregon] 6'4 317lbs
Overview
Former tackle projecting to guard-only prospect with a broad frame, good power and below-average athleticism. Bass’ lack of arm length will be a concern at any O-line position, but he plays with inside hands and decent know-how, so he should be able to work around it. He’s tight-hipped and doesn’t play with great pad level or a wide base but still manages to create some movement with powerful leg drive. He lacks lateral quickness as a zone blocker and loses effectiveness the further he gets away from home base. Bass’ toughness and size will give him a leg up in a battle for a backup role.
4 [134] CB Darius Rush [South Carolina] 6'2 200lbs
Overview
Two-year starter at cornerback after moving from wide receiver in his redshirt freshman season. Rush is big, long and physical. He struggles to stay connected with routes from both press and off coverages but could improve with more technique work. He will never have the short area foot quickness to mirror and match routes but has impressive ball skills to disrupt the catch when he’s in position.
5 [136] S Trey Dean III [Florida] 6'2 200lbs
Overview
Big, long safety with good athleticism and toughness but a troubling lack of assignment awareness. Dean has the athletic tools to play man coverage, but he needs better patience early in the rep and must become more reliable in carrying out his responsibilities. He has the speed and length to close and disrupt the catch and does a nice job of carrying speed down the field. Dean can cover big tight ends and help support the run in the box but spotty angles to the tackle plague him at times. Considering his strengths and weaknesses, a team might give him a look as a cornerback if he proves he can run well enough.
5 [148] RB Chase Brown [Illinois] 5'9 200lbs
Overview
Volume ball-carrier with a compact frame and high-end stamina to wear defenses down. Brown is less slasher than he is a between-the-tackles grinder. He needs to prove he can be an effective outside runner to help widen the field. He’s natural and agile as a one-cut runner and has the receiving talent to make plays out of the backfield. He’s a bit of a one-note runner but could compete for a three-down backup role with a limited ceiling.
5 [159] LB Ivan Pace Jr [Cincinnati] 5'10 231lbs
Overview
A rare blend of leverage, toughness and tackle obsession makes Pace’s tape a fun day of film study. He might be one of the strongest players in the 2023 NFL Draft from a pound-for-pound standpoint. He’s able to slip and club blockers out of the way with lower-body anchor and elite contact balance. He was cleared to take shots downhill by the defense, which bolstered his production, but his instincts and feel for finding routes to the ball seem to drive him. It is hard not to love Pace's game tape, but his lack of length and speed could create inconsistencies at the next level.
7 [220] QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson [UCLA] 6'2 200lbs
Overview
Five-year starter with below-average size, above-average mobility and a recent history of improvement at the position. Thompson-Robinson played in a favorable scheme for quarterbacks, but he also improved as a field-reader over time. While he can extend plays and create opportunities for himself outside of the pocket, he’s at his best when he’s throwing on time and utilizing possession throws as his base. He has lapses in vision and judgment against zone and when pressured, so he must cut down on ill-advised throws. Thompson-Robinson has the potential to find a home as a QB3 with a QB2 ceiling.
7 [Comp] CB Cameron Mitchell [NorthWestern] 5'11 191lbs
Overview
Mitchell provides good toughness and play strength but a lack of functional fluidity to stay connected with NFL route runners. His lack of length could be a problem against size and teams might consider bumping him inside to play the role of a run-defending nickel back. Mitchell is certainly fearless and might be better suited to play as a down safety with nickel potential against certain teams. He’s been an active tackler on punt and kick cover teams, which bolsters his chances of making a roster.
