Top NFL Draft Prospects Bears Must Watch During CFB Bowl Season
The Chicago Bears find themselves in a great position in the 2023 NFL draft order.
They are projected to have the No. 2 overall pick behind the Houston Texans, per Tankathon.
That selection comes with one downside from a scouting perspective, though. Some of the top prospects will not be on the field during college football bowl season.
The Chicago front office will likely have to circle the College Football Playoff semifinals as the best chances to scour top-tier prospects.
The good news for the Bears is there are plenty of first-round prospects in the playoff field, especially in the Peach Bowl between the Georgia Bulldogs and Ohio State Buckeyes.
Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
The Bears do not need to dip into the quarterback market in the 2023 NFL draft.
The need for other teams to target the likes of Bryce Young, CJ Stroud and Will Levis could help Chicago trade down for more picks.
Wherever they end up, the Bears should focus on defensive players.
Georgia once again has a full stable of top-tier defensive prospects, with Jalen Carter being the best of the group.
The defensive lineman has three sacks, two forced fumbles and 29 tackles and has been a menace up the middle for any opponent.
Pro Football Focus lists Carter as the No. 5 overall prospect in the draft class, and he should be in the discussion for the first defensive player off the board along with Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr.
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Kelee Ringo may be too much of a reach at No. 2, but the Georgia cornerback is worth looking at in case the Bears trade down.
The 20-year-old has a pair of interceptions and six passes defended for the top team in college football.
Ringo will likely be a first-round pick, but it would be hard for the Bears to justify using the second overall selection on a corner when Anderson and Carter are available.
They should still take a look at the player during the Peach Bowl, though. That will likely be his toughest test of the season against potential 2024 first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Bears have needs across their roster and could benefit from landing a few more top picks from a team that is desperate for a quarterback.
Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Both rosters at the Peach Bowl should be scouted extensively by the Bears.
Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. could improve his draft stock with a strong outing against the Georgia defense.
The 21-year-old is rated as a top-20 overall prospect by Pro Football Focus and Bleacher Report’s NFL scouting department.
Johnson has potential to rise up draft boards with a strong playoff performance and a good showing at the NFL combine.
The Bears need protection for quarterback Justin Fields, and Johnson is a name they should consider in April along with Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski, who is not playing in a bowl game.