Mock NFL Draft: Bears take CB with No. 9 comprehensive selection
The Bears go to CB at No. 9 in a new 7-round Model Draft appeared in the original NBC Sports Chicago
As we get closer and closer to the NFL Draft, the bore’ The draft picture becomes clearer and clearer. The first wave of free mandates completed, the Bears completely reconfigured their running backs and brought back the wire back, while adding a little help to the offensive line and defensive line. Ryan Poles is expected to add more assists on both lines in the draft, and could add talent in several other positions, such as cornerback, tight end, and wide receiver. Bottom line, there are still a lot of holes in this roster, so the Bears simply need to add the best talent they can find as they try to go from tearing the roster apart to rebuilding it again.
As always, these mock drafts are not an attempt to accurately predict what will happen when the picks start coming in for real on April 4th. 27. It’s impossible. These mock drafts are intended to be a fun way to introduce fans to a variety of NFL prospects. Additionally, the PFF’s mock draft tool has not added a conditional seventh-round pick for the Bears yet (No. 258) so it is not included.
no. 9: DEVON WITHERSPOON – CORNERBACK – ILLINOIS
Ryan Bowles had his eyes on Paris Johnson Jr. and Peter Skowronski with his first draft pick, but when Witherspoon surprisingly fell into his lap, he couldn’t miss the chance. Witherspoon was the best player in college football last season, giving up just 22 goals on 62 goals scored (35.4%) and a passer rating of 25.3 on targeting, per PFF. Witherspoon did not allow a touchdown all year, and tallied three interceptions. The addition of Witherspoon also allows Kyler Gordon to focus on his gambling, which has improved as the year has gone on. With Witherspoon, Gordon, and Jaylon Johnson together, the Bears will also have one of the most amazing young secondary players in the league.
no. 54: Surat Al-Kahf
The Bears enhance their defensive line play with pure speed that runs off the edge. He may only play with clear, rushing passing opportunities to start his career, but he has the stuff to develop into a dangerous defensive line threat, just like his brother Aziz Ogullari. BJ was a consistent contributor throughout his college career with 16.5 sacks, 25.5 TFLs, and 128 tackles in 31 games.
no. 61: Joe Tipman – Center – Wisconsin
If you’re more of a Chicago pick-me-up, Tipman might be the guy for you. He’s really big, at 6’6″, 313 lbs., but he can move surprisingly well for his size. Tippmann is strong when used as an offensive point in a running game, and nimble when called upon to run in the zone charts. According to the PFF, he only surrendered a sack One over two seasons as Wisconsin’s starting center, too. If there’s a hit on Tipman, he could be a heavy catch. He was reported six times in 2022, according to Sports Illustrated.
no. 64: Carl Brooks – Edge – Bowling Green
We know the Poles appreciate a great Senior Bowl performance among all college prospects based on his comments from last season, and Brooks was one of the most vocal defensemen from this year’s event. He won praise for his ability to get rid of blocks with his hands, and his drive through the play. Brooks has notched 20 sacks over the past two seasons, and added another in the Senior Bowl.
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The Bears believe they found the gem of an offensive midfield line in Braxton Jones last season, and hope to do so again. Freeland is trusted and experienced as an outside lineman. He was given a part-starter job during his freshman season with the Cougars, and started 41 games over his four years at BYU. He was at right tackle for 15 of those starts between 2019 and 2020, and at left tackle for 26 starts during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Most importantly, Freeland has surrendered just one sack in 1,129 pass-blocking snaps from 2020-2022, according to for PFF.
no. 133: Surah Al-Baqara
The Bears loaded their midfield defense with the signings of Tremaine Edmonds and TJ Walker, but kept their eye on the future by choosing Williams. Experts consider Williams to be one of the best incoming full-backs in passing defense, but note that he struggles with getting off balls. The Bears care most about his wingspan (80+ inches) and playmaking ability in the position, though. He had two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 13 games last season.
no. 137: Kobe Turner – Defensive Tackle – Get up in the woods
Turner brings some positioning prowess to the Bears defensive line, with experience playing both nose tackle and B-hole. He will help the team most as a running leader, with the ability to absorb mass for the midfielders behind him to run freely. Turner never stops playing, often making tackles in pursuit from behind where the running backs hesitate. The Bears will also love that Turner had to fight for every opportunity in his college career. He started as a walk-on at Richmond, earned a scholarship the following year, then transferred to Wake Forest where he proved he could withstand stiff competition in the ACC.
no. 149: Kenny McIntosh – running back – Georgia
The Bears are finding a way to replace much of what Montgomery brought to the offense with a late round pick. McIntosh has a penchant for scoring in the low red zone (10 rushing rushes in 2022), is a dynamic playmaker in the passing game (65 passes for 747 yards, four TDs since 2021), and is reliable on the blitz (one squeeze in 27 chance last year per PFF). He will have a chance to mingle with Herbert and Foreman.
no. 219: PUKA NACUA – WIDE RECEIVER – BRIGHAM YOUNG
Nacua doesn’t have the speed to burn corner kicks deep, but he does have the ball skills to win contested shots. The Cougars have used him as a big hole at times, and this is where he could thrive in the NFL. At 6’2″, 201 pounds gives the Bears a little more size, but he can challenge teams horizontally, too. BYU liked to use Nacua on screens or sweeps on planes, so he could fit Luke Getsy’s offense well.
