We’ve spent months debating what may happen when the 2023 NFL Draft starts for real this Thursday. Will Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud be the first quarterback off the board? Will Jalen Carter come off the board with a top-five pick despite legal troubles? For the Bears, will they go offensive line, or defensive line with the No. 9 pick? Or will they trade back. It seems like every possible permutation has been discussed, and yet, there will be some surprise that no one expects. It happens every year, and this year will be no different. So in this latest mock draft, just when you think you’ve seen everything, that’s what we’re going to explore. What happens if things go a little wonky? How could that affect the Bears’ draft board, and Ryan Poles’ decisions? If some of the picks look a little different, that’s because they’re meant to be.
BYU
Oklahoma
Penn State
Illinois
Wisconsin
Houston
Bowling Green
Wake Forest
San Jose State
Minnesota