NFL insider names the 3 players the Bears are expected to target in the first round
The Chicago Bears have the No. 9 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft after trading the No. 1 overall selection to the Carolina Panthers earlier this offseason. And the No. 9 overall selection is an interesting pick to have. Chicago should be able to land an impact player at No. 9 that can contribute […]
The Chicago Bears have the No. 9 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft after trading the No. 1 overall selection to the Carolina Panthers earlier this offseason.
And the No. 9 overall selection is an interesting pick to have.
Chicago should be able to land an impact player at No. 9 that can contribute as a rookie. But because there are eight selections that will come off the board before the Bears make their pick, they don't really know which impact player that will be.
ESPN's Todd McShay appeared on Barstool Sports' Pardon My Take this week to discuss the draft. And he named three players that he expects the Bears to target at No. 9 overall. If none of those three players are available, McShay thinks Chicago will trade back.
So who are those three players?
According to McShay, the three players that Chicago will target, in this order, are:
- Jalen Carter — DL — Georgia
- Paris Johnson Jr — OL — Ohio State
- Peter Skoronski — OL — Northwestern
McShay pointed out that he thinks Carter is the most talented player in this year's draft, but he noted that the former Georgia standout has some character concerns. In fact, McShay said he has seven different sources, including a Georgia assistant coach, that have expressed concerns about Carter.
"Let's just put it this way, as good as Jalen Carter was, and as important as he was in his last two years winning championships, I don't think there are a lot of people in Athens (Georgia) that are crying that Jalen Carter's leaving town," said McShay. "I think he's been a lot to handle."
McShay also said that Carter needs to be motivated by teammates to play at a high level, which seems like a massive red flag for the talented defensive lineman.
But if the Bears think they can get Carter in the right headspace, then perhaps he'll prove to be a steal at No. 9. It's a bit of a gamble, but it could have a huge payoff for Chicago.
