LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — General manager Ryan Poles completed his second NFL Draft with the Bears on Saturday with the addition of six more players in a 10-man class.
In drafting seven defensive players and three offensive players, the Bears addressed needs on their depth chart and took a few chances on potential in the later rounds. From offensive tackle Darnell Wright with the No. 10 overall pick to safety Kendall Williamson with the penultimate selection at No. 258 overall, the Bears are hopeful about who they've added to the roster.
Here's a full breakdown of the Bears’ draft class in 2023.
Round 1, No. 10 (from Eagles): Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright
After holding the No. 1 overall pick, the Bears moved down to the No. 9 pick in March and then moved down one more slot to the No. 10 selection Thursday, when they landed a player in Wright whom Poles viewed as the top tackle available.
In his own words: “I haven’t even scratched the surface of what I can be. I think they know that, and I know that.” — Wright
From the evaluator: “He is somebody who was able to look himself in the mirror and truly see his potential had the chance to be realized. He is somebody who gained great confidence in his work habits and through his work habits, that allowed him to refine his play. When he got here, I would describe him as a very young football player. That was fundamentally, but it was also just in his football IQ. Over the last two years, that guy has grown in that in an unbelievable way. And I think that was a huge part of his draft process, his being able to showcase his knowledge of the game, not just what he was doing but what all five guys were doing and what we were doing against different defenses, schemes and alignments. I’m really proud of the steps he took.” — Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel
2023 projection: The Bears believe that Wright can step in as their Week 1 starter at right tackle, a position they hope he handles for many years to come.
Round 2, No. 53 (from Ravens): Florida defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr.
The Bears added a raw-but-talented defensive lineman in Dexter, who was once a prized high school recruit but never quite produced to his full potential at Florida.
In his own words: “I'm that guy who can get going and cause havoc and work the game. So, yeah, that's definitely how I would describe myself." — Gervon
From the evaluator: “He was a basketball player that started playing football just a couple years ago, so if you go back and watch his freshman tape, he’s out there just kind of throwing people around. He doesn’t really feel pressure yet and understand block recognition and all that. And then the next year it gets even better in terms of the feel, and then this year, it got even better.” — Poles
2023 projection: Dexter should factor into the Bears’ rotation on the defensive line as a rookie.
Round 2, No. 56 (from Jaguars): Miami cornerback Tyrique Stevenson
The Bears traded up five slots to get Stevenson, fearing that he'd be selected before their place at No. 61 overall. They coveted a player with the tools to be a starter at the outside cornerback position. Stevenson transferred from Georgia to Miami after the 2020 season partially because he lost out on a starting job, a humbling experience that left him with a new perspective.
In his own words: "You're getting an all-out baller ready to make an impact from day one." — Stevenson
From the evaluator: “Big, physical corner. Tackles. Will strike you. Good ball skills. What stands out about him in coverage, he has a ton of poise. Really stays in control through all of his movements and especially when the ball’s in the air. So, we’re excited about him.” — Poles
2023 projection: The Bears believe that Stevenson can step in at the outside cornerback position opposite of Jaylon Johnson.
Round 3, No. 64: South Carolina defensive lineman Zacch Pickens
In leading off the third round, the Bears selected another defensive lineman in Pickens. Poles sees him as being interchangeable with Dexter and not playing one position specifically.
In his own words: “I'm ready to learn and grow. I still haven't reached my potential yet.” — Pickens
From the evaluator: “Pickens was another guy that we had really close to Dexter, and he was still there for us. So, another opportunity to add a big interior player who has length, very good athlete. That’s one space we wanted to get better. We want to be more stout. But at the same time in this defense, you’ve got to be able to run, and both those guys can do that.” — Poles
2023 projection: Similar to Dexter, Pickens should be a rotational player on the Bears’ defensive line.
Round 4, No. 115 (from Saints): Texas running back Roschon Johnson
After trading down a dozen spots from the top pick in the fourth round, the Bears selected Johnson, who could fill a key role in their backfield. Johnson was the backup at Texas to star running back Bijan Robinson (who went No. 8 overall to the Falcons) but has the potential to be a starter in the NFL.
In his own words: “Me and Bijan definitely help each other work and just grow with each other and just kind of learn from each other and compete as well. It’s definitely a guy that -- we’re just trying to help each other grow, not just on the field but off of it as well.” — Johnson
From the evaluator: ”He's someone we really feel can probably become a pillar in this organization for a really long time. I feel really strongly about this guy.” — Bears southwest area scout John Syty
2023 projection: Johnson is a powerful back who should step in as a rookie and get considerable carries.
Round 4, No. 133 (from Eagles): Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Scott
The Bears landed a dynamic athlete in Scott with a pick that was acquired from the Eagles as part of the trade that sent veteran pass rusher Robert Quinn to Philadelphia in late October. Scott is a former Junior Olympics track star who has top-flight speed.
In his own words: “Speed is my No. 1 thing that I think pops off the film, but I always like to stress not just that but just how I get open as well.” — Scott
From the evaluator: "He can really take the top off. Justin (Fields) is going to like throwing to him deep.” — Bears area scout Ryan Cavanaugh
2023 projection: The Bears are a bit deeper at wide receiver this season, but Scott should have a role if he can prove to be savvy with that speed threat.
Round 5, No. 148 (from Ravens): Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell
The Bears are well-set at linebacker, so Sewell was a classic example of selecting the best player available on the board, regardless of position. Coincidentally, this selection the Bears used on him came from the Ravens as part of the trade return for sending star linebacker Roquan Smith to Baltimore last season.
In his own words: “I told him to line it up right now.” — Sewell on facing his brother Penei Sewell, a Lions star offensive lineman
From the evaluator: “He’s ready to go. I think seeing his older brothers kind of go through the process, I think he kind of used that as a blueprint. He kind of put his own spin on it to be ready at this level and be ready to step in and play as soon as possible.” — Bears area scout Reese Hicks on how Sewell’s two brothers in the NFL shaped him
2023 projection: Sewell didn't play special teams at Oregon but should expect to step in there for the Bears as a rookie.
Round 5, No. 165 (from Saints): Minnesota cornerback Terell Smith
With the extra selection acquired from the Saints, the Bears drafted Smith, who spent five years at Minnesota and enters the NFL as a 24-year-old rookie.
In his own words: “We did a lot of quarters in Minnesota, off-quarters, so I feel very comfortable in the off-man. When it comes to Tampa-2, we ran a lot of 2, especially last year. So, in those two areas of my game, I feel very comfortable.” — Smith
From the evaluator: “What's special about him is he's kind of made that steady ascent. So, when we look at drafting players it's like, can you still get more out of them? Are they still in that developmental upswing? And I think that's where Terell really stood out.” — Bears co-director of player personnel Trey Koziol
2023 projection: Smith should compete for a role on the depth chart at cornerback and play a part in special teams.
Round 7, No. 218: Kennesaw State defensive lineman Travis Bell
The seventh round of the draft is all about taking chances on upside. In Bell, the Bears selected a player who wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine but who made an impression at his pro day.
In his own words: “That was most definitely part of the goal, but I really just wanted the opportunity.” — Bell on being the first player ever drafted out of Kennesaw State
2023 projection: Bell will get the opportunity to develop behind the scenes as a rookie.
Round 7, No. 258: Stanford safety Kendall Williamson
A five-year player at Stanford, Williamson recorded 140 tackles and one interception in 49 career collegiate games. He was the Bears’ third defensive back selected in this draft.
2023 projection: Williamson will get the opportunity to compete for a depth role and a place on special teams.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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