The Bears made a splash by trading the first-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers last month. 

With the trade, the Bears moved back to No. 9. While much emphasis has been placed on who the Bears could take in the first round, I am interested in who the team could select in the mid-rounds. 

The Bears will enter the draft with two fourth-round picks and two fifth-round picks. Dane Brugler of The Athletic recently released his annual draft guide, The Beast. Using this guide, let's take a look at some potential mid-round steals for Chicago. 

Note: I am only considering players who are widely expected to be drafted between rounds three and five.

Blake Freeland, OT, BYU

Many mock drafts have the Bears selecting an offensive tackle such as Peter Skoronski with No. 9. However, the team may prefer taking an elite defender such as Jalen Carter or a game-breaking receiver like Jackson Smith-Njigba. 

If the latter scenario is what happens, the Bears will need to address the line at some point. 

I believe Freeland would be a great option in the fourth or fifth round. 

Freeland started 26 games at left tackle for the BYU Cougars and 15 at right tackle. The 6'7" tackle also had one of the fastest 40-Yard Dash times among tackles, finishing tied for third. 

The Bears need linemen with lateral quickness and versatility. Freeland checks both of those boxes. There are concerns about his ability to handle edge rushers at the NFL level, and his incredible height seems to negatively affect his balance and push at times. 

However, in the fourth or fifth round, Freeland could be a steal. The young tackle seems like a lock to be at least a rotational lineman for years. 

Trey Palmer, WR, Nebraska

Palmer spent the first three seasons of his college career playing for the LSU Tigers. Palmer was unable to make much of an impact on a loaded LSU offense, so the talented receiver transferred to Nebraska for the 2022 season. 

Palmer did nothing but break records after arriving in Lincoln. The receiver's 1,043 receiving yards set a new single-season Nebraska record. Palmer also set a single-game receiving record, collecting 237 yards against Purdue. 

If the Bears do not think Smith-Njigba or another receiver or worth the No. 9 pick, they could wait until day two to get their guy. 

Palmer is projected to go anywhere from the early third round to the late fourth round. The receiver would likely be drafted higher if not for his frequent drops. Palmer dropped 18 passes in his college career. 

No prospect is perfect if they last until the mid-rounds, though, and Palmer has game-changing speed. Palmer returned both a kickoff and punt for a touchdown in college and ran a 4.33 at the NFL Combine. 

Palmer would provide solid depth behind Claypool, Mooney, and Moore, and could even contribute in the return game if needed. 

Byron Young, EDGE/OLB, Tennessee

Young will be a steal for whichever team selects him. Only one edge rusher, Nolan Smith, ran a faster 40 time than Young. 

Young has a remarkable story, being a no-star recruit out of high school and playing at Gulf Coast Sports Academy and Georgia Military College before ending up in Knoxville. 

Young racked up 12.5 sacks in two seasons on Rocky Top and showcased a relentless motor and a penchant for getting in the backfield. 

Young flies off of the edge and has the quickness to get by NFL tackles. The former Volunteer struggles against the run and might not have the size to stick running backs at the NFL level. 

In a 4-3 defense, Young would likely play defensive end and sub in as a rotational pass-rusher. Young is the type of player who can come in on third down and get into the backfield. 

Final Thoughts: I decided to pick a WR, EDGE, and OT sleeper for the Bears, because I feel these are the biggest areas of need. 

General manager Ryan Poles should not feel the need to reach for one of these positions at No. 9 due to the quality of depth.