The Chicago Bears own the first overall pick heading into the 2023 NFL draft, and all eyes will be on the franchise in the coming weeks. The Bears have the most valuable pick in football heading into the draft, and the 2023 edition is set to be one of the best in a few years.
The Bears have various needs and could use the first overall pick in multiple ways. Here, we will highlight three interesting options the Bears can explore heading into the 2023 draft.
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Three things Chicago Bears could do with the first overall pick
Here are three things the Bears could do with their No. 1 pick in terms of least likely to most likely:
#3 Trade out of the top five
The most unlikely pick the Chicago Bears could explore is to trade out of the top five for the 2023 draft.
They could do that to accumulate a treasure chest of draft picks, role players, or a healthy mixture of both. The Bears are one of the least complete teams in the NFL, as they need more proven starters and solid bench players to contend for anything of real value. As such, making a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders or Carolina Panthers wouldn't be such a bad idea.
However, we need help to see how a team with the number one pick of the 2023 NFL draft will leave the top five. So what will happen to their chances of drafting defensive studs like Will Anderson Jr. or Jalen Carter? The Bears stand to miss out on a potential generational prospect by leaving the top five.
#2 Trade with a team in the top five
At least three teams in the top five would love to draft a top-notch quarterback in the 2023 NFL draft.
The Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks are those teams. If those teams wait till their turn, there's a high chance that all three top-notch QB prospects, Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Will Levis, will be off the draft board. As such, it won't be a bad idea for the franchises to strike a deal with the Bears for the number one pick.
The Bears could do a lot with their first overall pick. Solid prospects like Will Anderson Jr. and Jalen Carter are there for the taking. If the rumors are anything to go by, the Bears could draft either Young or Stroud and trade away Justin Fields for assets. It's difficult to see the Bears torpedoing down the draft board, though.
#1 Keep the first overall pick
The most obvious option and one that almost every team in NFL history with the first overall pick has taken. The Chicago Bears will likely keep their first overall pick for the 2023 NFL draft and let the tide take its natural course.
The 2023 draft is remarkably top-heavy, with a lot of NFL-ready prospects available. The Chicago Bears will likely keep their pick, and the franchise can build around it.
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