Arlington Heights Bears Mock Off Season

Aesopian · Mar 1, 2023

Free Agency

Bears sign DT Dre'Mont Jones to 4 years 70 million

Jones looks to be a player on the rise. Moreover, he is someone whose status the Bears should be cognizant of ahead of free agency. The 26-year-old defensive lineman is coming off a big year. Jones had what I’d consider a career year with 6.5 sacks, 10 QB Hits, and 9 tackles-for-loss in 13 games. And it was a good time for it, too.

Bears sign DT Poona Ford to 3 years 28.5 million

While he had a career year in sacks with three, his greatest strength is stopping the run. Chicago's run defense was one of the worst in the NFL this past season.

Bears sign C Ethan Pocic to 4 years 29.5 million

Pocic, a former second-round pick in th 2017 draft, would be an upgrade at center for the Bears. Pocic was signed by the Browns as a depth piece last offseason, but he was thrust into the starting role after Nick Harris was lost to injury. Pocic started 13 games for the Browns last season, where he had the fourth-best pass block and run block win rate at center. Now, Pocic is in for a significant pay day after bolstering his stock in a huge way in 2022.

Bears sign WR Kenny Golladay to 1 year 3.5 million

I don't know why he had a bad year but give him a prove it deal for cheap.

Bears sign LB Bobby Okerke to 2 years 10 million

Eberflus connection and coming off one of his best years.

Draft

* Bears trade 2023 first round pick to the Colts for 2023 first round pick, 2023 second round pick, 2024 first round pick, 2024 second round pick. 2024 sixth round pick

Colts draft QB Bryce Young
Texans draft QB CJ Stroud
Cardinals draft DE Will Anderson

1 [4] OT Paris Johnson [Ohio State] 6'6 315lbs

Johnson is a big guy (6’6, 315 pounds) who has the athletic upside to become one of the top offensive linemen in the league. He’s a bit raw still, but if he can put all the pieces together, Johnson would be a home run pick for the Bears if they trade back.

2 [35] DE Lukas Van Ness [Iowa] 6'5 270lbs

Lukas Van Ness is a good pro prospect, with ideal size and elite power for the position. In his final year at Iowa, he played at an elite level as he logged 9 sacks and huge 31 total hurries on the edge. He however is a little raw and while having outstanding power is inexperienced and only has a limited array of pass-rushing moves and so may struggle to adapt to the pro game.

Van Ness may be over-drafted due to his power and production, although currently, we regard him as a day-two selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.

2 [53] RB Tank Bigsby [Auburn] 6'0 215lbs

A compact runner, Bigsby has a rare blend of balance, agility and instincts.

Shows a surprising burst to beat linebackers to the edge. Can plant his foot in the ground and explode, showing better straight-line speed than expected.

Bigsby finishes runs well and flashes the ability to get small and squeeze through traffic.

He’s patient, letting blocks develop then accelerating. He runs with a good forward lean and consistently falls forward.

Bigsby shows decent burst and straight-line speed to turn in big plays.

Possesses quick feet and straight-line speed but doesn't have the elite burst to be a constant big-play threat. Improving patience as a runner, following pulling guards and makes good decisions on his cut.

3 [64] WR Rakim Jarrett [Maryland] 6'0 190lbs

Rakim Jarrett is an excellent slot pro prospect, he displays elite long speed and quickness combined with very good acceleration and decent hands. He however is limited by his size and route tree and can be dominated by bigger DBs.