Chicago Bears: Option At Nine Could Come Down To Four Prospects

If the Chicago Bears decide to keep the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, there are four prospects they might have in mind.

We are just about three weeks out from the start of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Chicago Bears are finalizing their big board. If the team keeps the ninth pick it appears general manager Ryan Poles has the choice down to four.

Poles already made a big move in the draft by trading the top overall pick. He received an additional pick in this year’s draft, some in the 2024 and 2025 drafts, and wide receiver D.J. Moore.

There are reports that trading the ninth pick is also in play. Poles can rack up more draft picks should he go that way. However, there are some nice options at nine who can greatly improve the roster.

There are reports that Poles has four prospects in mind for the ninth pick. These four have had multiple visits with Poles and the Bears. These prospects are playmakers and difference-makers. Let’s take a look at these players.

Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

Jalen Carter is probably the most polarizing prospect in this class. He has the ability to be an All-Pro at the next level and was one of the most sought-after prospects in years. He helped lead the Georgia Bulldogs to back-to-back championships.

After Carter and the Bulldogs won their title back in January, things went down for him. He was involved in a draft racing incident that killed his teammate and a Georgia staffer. There was a warrant out for his arrest on two misdemeanor charges.

The warrant kept Carter from performing at the NFL Combine. He left after the first day. While concentrating on his legal trouble he didn’t train. It showed when he had his Pro Day. He showed up overweight and could not finish his drills.

Carter’s stock might have taken a hit. However, he opted for a plea bargain that resulted in him receiving a fine, community service, and a year of probation.

Perhaps with his legal situation resolved, Carter could be back on track. Many draft experts expected the Bears to trade in the top five and pick him up. However, he could slide down and be available to them at nine. Poles is doing his due diligence and has met with Carter multiple times. It is very difficult for the Chicago Bears to ignore his enormous talent.

Tyree Wilson, EDGE Rusher, Texas Tech

Another prospect who met with Poles on a number of occasions was edge rusher Tyree Wilson. In 2022, the Bears had a horrible pass rush. They ranked last in sacks and quarterback hits so Poles wants to change that.

Wilson can help do that.

Poles may have even more interest in Wilson than in Carter. He has a third visit scheduled for Wilson. Wilson is one of the top pass rushers in the draft and would be an instant upgrade to the Bears’ pass rush.

The Chicago Bears are looking for big, long, and fast defensive linemen. Wilson checks all those boxes. At the Combine, he met with team officials. He was effusive with his praise for them. He said he liked their energy and was impressed with the coaches and Poles.

Wilson has the skills and athleticism to have a successful NFL career. He could dominate both against the pass and the run. In addition to his elite size (6-foot-6, 271 pounds), he has a nearly 36-inch arm length. That wingspan will cause a lot of trouble for opposing quarterbacks.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

With the Moore trade, Poles did a good job of improving the wide receivers unit. The Chicago Bears now have Moore, Darnell Mooney, and Chase Claypool as their top wide receivers.

However, he probably needs to add another one to the mix. Mooney and Claypool will be free agents after the season. They should have someone who would be under control for four seasons.

Selecting Jaxon Smith-Njigba would make the improvement in the wide receivers unit even better. Smith-Njigba was a teammate of Fields at Ohio State so there would not be a learning curve to figure out between the two. They have already succeeded together so they could do it again at the pro level.

Smith-Njigba is a tough receiver who would move the chains. He is fearless going into the middle of traffic to make the catch and take the hit. In addition to having the concentration to work through the hit, he has incredibly soft hands. He is able to extend his hands and soften them to grab the ball.

While Smith-Njigba doesn’t have the elite-level speed of other receivers, he reaches his top speed quickly and runs good routes.

Poles is showing that he is behind Fields. Adding Smith-Njigba helps Fields even more and completely overhauls the wide receivers unit.

Paris Johnson, Jr., OT, Ohio State

Another prospect that fits what the Chicago Bears want is Paris Johnson Jr. Poles has said on a number of occasions that he wanted to have strong, athletic, and mean offensive linemen. That fits Johnson to a tee.

Johnson has a great combination of size (6-foot-6, 318 pounds, 36 1/8-inch arm length) and athleticism. Poles wants to finally fix the offensive line. He took a step by fortifying the interior of the line with the signing of Nate Davis. Now he has to find help at the tackle spot.

Johnson had a great Combine and an even better Pro Day. His athleticism is so far off the charts that some remarked that he looked like a tight end, not an offensive lineman.

Quarterback Justin Fields needs protection for him to succeed. He has taken too many hits dropping back to pass. Johnson would be a great addition to the offensive line and make offensive coordinator Luke Getsy‘s offense a very dangerous one.

Poles entered this offseason wanting to have as many options as possible. This is exactly what he has. These four prospects are great options. He also has the option to trade down and pick up even more picks, thus giving him even more options.

This is supposed to be an impactful offseason for the Chicago Bears. It is certainly looking that way so far.