NFL mock draft 2023: Could Chicago Bears trade out of No. 9 pick?

Wright answered athleticism questions at the combine, but the truth is, his tape showed he’s a capable enough athlete to play in a system like Chicago’s, anyway. He’s a big-bodied, powerful offensive tackle with an incredibly strong anchor and a mean streak at the point of attack. His technique can be hit or miss, but his issues are easily coachable. He’s a gifted, natural right tackle who could start from Day 1 for the Bears.

Jacob Infante, SBNation.com

I like Wright's opportunity with the Bears if we're strictly looking at right tackles, since Braxton Jones held his own on the left side last season. Wright started 27 games at right tackle in college; his tape against Will Anderson Jr. and Alabama was phenomenal. He's the best right tackle in this class.

Mel Kiper, ESPN

Wright may have been my favorite player to watch in the pre-draft process because he moves with an explosiveness and agility that belies his 333-pound frame. As with Johnson, there’s still some improvement needed in pass protection — especially since Wright doesn’t have the same kind of length as Johnson — but he’s a clean prospect who can play on the left or right side.

Diante Lee, The Athletic

He might be the best pure tackle in the draft with 36-inch arms, about 4 inches longer than Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski.

Gene Chamberlain, BearDigest

The Bears decided Justin Fields is their future and secured a big-time receiver, DJ Moore, in trading the first pick to Carolina. They now have to protect Fields’ blind side.

Tony Pauline, Pro Football Network

A behemoth at 6-foot-6, 313 pounds. He was first-team All-Big Ten and second-team AP All-American last year with the Buckeyes, playing his first season at left tackle after spending the previous year at right guard. Versatility is always good.

Adam Hermann, NBC Sports

He played right guard for the Buckeyes in 2021 and was a star at his natural position of left tackle in 2022. This is a home run for the Bears in both year one and long-term.

Tyler Forness, Yahoo Sports

Jones is still growing as a blocker but spent the last two seasons protecting Stetson Bennett en route to back-to-back national titles. He may be the most athletic tackle in his class and would be a valuable running mate alongside Fields’ scramble-heavy dropbacks. He can get out in space and clear the field, which is exactly what the Bears need.

Christian D'Andrea, USA Today

Jones is an athletic tackle prospect with perhaps room to develop, and take his game to even greater heights. He is definitely an offensive lineman who considers finishing his blocks to be non-negotiable, and while he might not be as experienced as other linemen in the class, he comes with a lot of potential.

Mark Schofield, Joseph Acosta and JaredMueller, SBNation.com

Getting Fields an offensive line is essential. Right tackle Riley Reiff was signed by the Patriots, and the Bears don’t have any reliable in-house options between Larry Borom and Alex Leatherwood as plug-in starters. Nate Davis can play guard, but tackle is still a question mark. Hence, the selection of Broderick Jones.

Andrew Erickson, FantasyPros

The Bears clearly signaled their intention to build around Fields as their QB1 when they traded out of the first pick. So, how do you best support the third-year signal-caller? With playmakers and protectors. They got the former in the trade with Carolina, adding an established stud in receiver D.J. Moore. Now they snag the latter, picking the best offensive lineman in this class in Skoronski.

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com

Skoronski, who had a great combine from his running through his smooth positional drills, can deliver as their immediate starting left tackle with his smooth quickness and athleticism on the edge.

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News

If anything is good or right in the world, the Bears will keep Skoronski in the Chicagoland area. Chicago signed Nate Davis on the interior but has yet to address any need on the outside of the line. And there is a need.

David Helman and Carmen Vitali, FOX Sports

His explosiveness off the snap and ability to chase down smaller ball-carriers give him a chance to be a game-changer at the next level.

Chad Reuter, NFL.com

There’s no denying the talent, but that visit was about getting to know the player. Poles and his staff are being cautious about bringing the wrong person into the locker room as the Bears are still a young, impressionable team. But they’re also in need of talent, and Carter is everything Matt Eberflus is looking for in a disruptive 3-technique. Character is huge for Poles and Eberflus. So, if Carter does indeed fall to ninth overall and the Bears draft him, it would speak volumes about Carter the person.

Alyssa Barbieri, USA TODAY

A player who will get likened to Aaron Donald perhaps compares more accurately to Buffalo’s Ed Oliver, though. Kancey has elite get-off and athleticism, and he recorded a top-tier 22.7% pass-rush win rate last season.

Sam Monson, Pro Football Focus