Dream scenario unfolding for Bears for 2023 NFL draft |
With the Bears sitting at 3-10 and entering week 15 of the 18-game NFL season, Chicago is the only team in the NFC that has been mathematically eliminated from the postseason. Others will follow in the coming weeks, but for now, it is the Bears and no one else.
That means, unless this team is playing spoiler to someone down the stretch, they only have a little to play apart from pride and trying to gain momentum heading into next season. Granted, this has been a tough year for everybody, but this is a team building for the future, and are poised to make some noise in various ways next year. Making some noise starts in free agency, where the Bears have the most cap space for anyone to use. Look for them to address several needs on this team and fill the most critical needs with the best of the best. After that, the Bears will shift their focus to the NFL draft, where they currently hold the No.3 overall pick. That is significant because the Bears will not only have an opportunity to build this team up in free agency, but then they could turn around and add even more talent via the draft. This team could put themselves in a position to go from worst to first if the right moves and pieces fall into place. With several games to go, draft positioning could change, but when you look at the Bears remaining schedule, a top-five pick seems like a given. Should they stay at the No. 3 pick, a dream mock scenario is shaping up where the Bears may end up with the best player in the draft despite picking third. That is because Bryce Young and CJ Stroud are expected to go No. 1 and 2 in the draft, and with Justin Fields in the mix, Chicago doesn't need a QB any time soon. This is where the dream scenario begins as University of Alabama OLB Will Anderson Jr should be available at No. 3, and the Bears should make that pick if he is. Owning the No.2 pick would be a dream scenario for the Bears, especially if guys like Young and Stroud are still on the board. Expect Ryan Poles phone to be ringing off the hook as he could trade that pick for multiple picks and could essentially move from No. 2 down to No. 3. Taking Anderson here is no slouch, and it would be a massive win for the Bears, and their future. Nicknamed the Terminator for a reason, Anderson has been the best defensive player in the nation for the past two seasons and is arguably the best player in this entire class. He brings a certain edge to him that the Bears haven't seen since 2018, when Khalil Mack stole the show for that Chicago Defense. To show you how good Anderson is, his awards include the Nagurski award, Lombardi award, and Bednarik award. To get all of those once is no small feat, but to receive multiple of those awards multiple times is unheard of in this age of College Football. Not only is Anderson a student of the game, but he is exceptionally bright in the classroom, which often helps with learning the NFL game. Not only does he possess a strong work ethic which the Bears would love to have, but he is actively involved in both his Alabama and hometown communities while also displaying excellent team leadership. Following another strong showing this season, Anderson now has 34.5 sacks for his career, which ranks him second on Alabama's all-time list. Depending on what happens in the bowl game, Anderson may have to settle for second, but he has bigger goals than that and should be declaring for the NFL draft. When you look at this Bears team, the defensive side of the ball is the one that needs the most work, and adding Anderson will help. Losing Mack this offseason hurt, but they also lost Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Robert Quinn, and Roquan Smith. All played a significant role in the Bears generating pressure, and there is a reason why the defense is in the position they are in. Hopefully, things continue in the direction they are trending for the Bears and their fans, as Anderson is the type of franchise player this team needs.
