ESPN predicts which draft pick the Chicago Bears will have in the 2023 NFL Draft

ESPN took a shot this week, via their Football Power Index, at guessing which draft pick the Chicago Bears will have in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Football Power Index must not be very high on the Bears in 2022 because they have Chicago ending up with the No. 1 pick in next year's draft […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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ESPN took a shot this week, via their Football Power Index, at guessing which draft pick the Chicago Bears will have in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Football Power Index must not be very high on the Bears in 2022 because they have Chicago ending up with the No. 1 pick in next year's draft (just in front of the New York Jets).

From ESPN:

We've got a brutally close race for the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, but the Bears edged out the Jets for the honor.

ESPN's FPI is down on Justin Fields after a pretty brutal rookie season in which he finished with the worst QBR among qualifying quarterbacks in the league. Edge rusher Khalil Mack and receiver Allen Robinson II are both gone, and while there are still a few good players remaining in the defensive front — including edge rusher Robert Quinn and linebacker Roquan Smith — there isn't a whole lot other strengths on the Bears' roster.

Per FPI ratings, the Bears have a 14% chance to pick first next April, followed by the Jets (14%), Texans (11%), Jaguars (9%) and Falcons (9%).

Dec 4, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) and defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis (48) celebrate after a victory against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) and defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis (48) celebrate after a victory against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears are going to through a rebuild in 2022, but I'd still be surprised if this prediction comes true. I think Chicago is going to be a tough team to play on a weekly basis in 2022. They might go 5-12, but those 12 losses won't be easy wins for their opponents.

However, if the prediction ends up being true, then I think we could see a situation where the Bears trade down. They already have Justin Fields, so unless he just completely collapses in 2022, I don't see Chicago selecting a quarterback. They could go with a player like Alabama linebacker Will Anderson or they could trade down to secure even more draft capital for their rebuild.

There's still a whole season to play, so these predictions will change, but it's interesting that, for now, ESPN thinks the Bears will land the No. 1 overall pick next year.

Featured image via David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

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