Post-trade mock draft has Bears landing a dynamic playmaker with No. 9 pick
The Chicago Bears now own the No. 9 pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft after a big trade with the Carolina Panthers
The Chicago Bears ended the week with a bang on Friday by trading the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers for a haul that includes two first-round picks and wide receiver DJ Moore.
Chicago could hold onto the No. 9 pick or they could trade again to land even more draft capital.
The latest mock draft from CBS Sports, however, has the Bears staying put at No. 9 and drafting another playmaker for quarterback Justin Fields
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso has the Bears drafting Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba with the No. 9 pick.
From CBS Sports: The Bears aren't playing around — they're loading up on weapons for Fields entering Year 3, and rightfully so. After what will likely be a sub 4.40 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, Smith-Njigba going top 10 won't be considered crazy.
This seems unlikely. Sure, the Bears could still use another wide receiver, but going into the season with Chase Claypool, Darnell Mooney, and Moore as starters is pretty solid.
Chicago would be wise to target another need at No. 9. And if there's no one there that they feel great about, they could easily trade down again and land more picks. I'm sure a quarterback-needy team would love to jump into the top 10 if a player like Kentucky's Will Levis or Florida's Anthony Richardson falls.
I know Smith-Njigba would love to play with Fields. And Fields has said he'd love for Chicago to draft Smith-Njigba. But it just doesn't make much sense after trading for Moore on Friday.
