(670 The Score) With the start of the NFL Draft looming in a week, Bears general manager Ryan Poles and his scouting team have talked to hundreds of prospects, sifted through thousands of hours of film and and endlessly debated their draft board on the second floor of Halas Hall.
All that’s left to follow now is the drama that will unfold when the first round of the draft begins next Thursday in Kansas City. Having traded down from the No. 1 overall pick in March, the Bears are expected to stand pat at No. 9 overall or perhaps deal down again.
Poles' hope is to land a blue-chip player – a premier prospect from a small group that stands apart from the rest in the Bears' mind. While it's unclear who all the Bears have given blue-chip grades to, here's a breakdown of 10 prospects whom Chicago could realistically end up selecting in the first round.
Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter
Before the Bears can solidify their draft board, they must first make a firm organizational decision on Carter's character.
Carter pleaded no contest in March to misdemeanor charges for reckless driving and racing in connection with a fatal crash in January in Georgia. He received a sentence of 12 months of probation, a $1,000 fine and 80 hours of community service, and he’ll also be required to attend a state-approved defensive driving course, ESPN reported. Carter won’t serve jail time.
Poles and the Bears’ brass welcomed Carter to Halas Hall in early April for a top-30 visit, one that surely played a key role in shaping their conviction in his future. The organization has to decide if it's comfortable taking on the risk that would come with selecting him.
Once considered by some to be the top prospect in this draft class, Carter was a unanimous All-American defensive lineman at Georgia and a two-time national champion.
Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr.
Once a teammate at Ohio State with Bears quarterback Justin Fields, Johnson appears to be an ideal fit for Chicago as it looks to address its offensive line issues.
Johnson was an All-Big Ten selection and three-year starter for the Buckeyes, and he could step in as a starter at either tackle position and bolster a Bears offensive line that allowed Fields to be sacked 55 times last season.
“That would be awesome,” Johnson said of the possibility of joining Fields and the Bears. “I mean, when I first came to Ohio State, he took me in. It’s always cool when you’re a young lineman, the starting quarterback is a humble guy.
“That’s my guy. He's an amazing quarterback. He’s smart, he’s accurate. I mean, it would be an honor to be back with him again.”
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon
While the Bears' biggest areas of need are on their offensive and defensive lines, if Poles stays true to the philosophy of selecting the best player available, that very well could be Witherspoon.
A two-time All-Big Ten cornerback and a consensus All-American last season, Witherspoon would fit well alongside Bears cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon and give Chicago one of the best secondaries in the NFL.
Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski
There’s a case to be made that Skoronski has the highest floor of any prospect in the first round. A unanimous All-American tackle with the Wildcats, he projects as a guard in the NFL due to concern over his arm length.
How the Bears view Skoronski’s profile remains unclear, but he could an immediate starter in Chicago at either guard or tackle.
Texas Tech defensive lineman Tyree Wilson
Standing at 6-foot-6 and 271 pounds, Wilson is a dynamic defensive lineman prospect who boasts a nearly 36-inch wingspan. He has the potential to be a disruptive player in the NFL and has drawn the attention of scouts.
The Bears are looking to bolster their defensive front, and Wilson has the skill set to defend against both the run and the pass.
Iowa pass rusher Lukas Van Ness
Van Ness is one of the most fascinating prospects at the top of this draft, as he never started a game at Iowa but is one of the premier pass rush prospects available. As the Hawkeyes prioritized starting upperclassmen, Van Ness proved himself by making the most of his opportunities.
A native of Barrington, Van Ness is nicknamed “Hercules” and projects to bring an exciting arsenal to the NFL.
Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones
Poles and the Bears prefer to have an offensive line that features athletic tackles who can get out in space and set the tone for their outsize-zone running scheme. Jones might be the most athletically gifted tackle in this draft class.
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba
After acquiring dynamic receiver DJ Moore from the Panthers in March, the Bears are no longer looking at the position as one of great need. But the opportunity to land Smith-Njigba is enticing, especially given his connection with Fields.
Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright
Wright is a big-bodied tackle prospect who stands 6-foot-5 and 333 pounds. He was an All-SEC selection who has played at both left and right tackle. Wright could step in for the Bears at either tackle position and quickly offer an upgrade in protection.
Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez
The Fighting Illini product Witherspoon isn’t the only cornerback prospect in play for the Bears. The 6-foot-1, 197-pound Gonzalez is a gifted athlete who clocked a 4.38 time in the 40-yard dash. An All-Pac 12 selection, Gonzalez had four interceptions last season.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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