My 2023 draft board

[thunderspirit]

I spend way too much time on the NFL draft, but it's one of my favorite things — I love it, with all its warts.

This is my final* 2023 draft board of guys I see as fits for the Bears and where I'd be comfortable drafting them, with the knowledge to which I have access (which is to say, none of the medical stuff).

I don't rank within tiers beyond school (Power 5/Group of 5/FCS/lower) and production thresholds. Basically, beside those elements, guys in a tier are interchangeable.

*Any change would come via numbers from an outstanding Pro Day; as I understand it, that would only be Syracuse RB Sean Tucker.

[Moriarty]

I don't have the time to be as detailed and comprehensive, but these are most of the players I'd target (WR especially could be longer)

HB: Abanikanda(4), Brown(4-5), RoJohnson(6), Hull(6), Valladay(7-U), Prince(U), Laborn(U)
C: Tippmann(2), Wypler(4)
G: Duncan(5), Saldiveri(5-6), Vorhees(5-6), Curtis(6-7), Broeker(6-7)
T: Johnson(1), Jones(1), Wright(1), Freeland(3-4), Morris(3-5), Warren(4-6), Kirkland(6-7)
WR: Palmer(4), Iosivas(4-5), Dell(4-6), Ford-Wheaton(5-6), Wicks(6), Nacua(6-7), Demus(7)
3T: AA(1-2), Kancey(2), Brooks(3-4), Pickens(3-4), Dexter(3-4), Wooden(4-5)
1T: Keeanu(2-3), Mazi(2-3), Mustipher(U)
WLB: Pappoe(4-5), Orji(5-7), Diabate(5-7)
CB: Gonzalez(1), Porter(1), Ringo(2), Brents(2), Moss(4)
DE: Wilson(1), Murphy(1), VanNess(1), Anudike-Uzomah(2), White(2), Tuli(2-3), Foskey(2-3), Harrison(4), Carter(4-5), YaYa(4-5), Horton(5), Incoom(5-6), Stills(6-7)
TE: Kuntz(3-4), Schoonmaker(5), Mallory(5-6), Latu(6-7)
S: Hill(4), Skinner(4), Scott(5), Taylor(5), Conner(7)
QB: Hooker(4), Haener(5-6), Cunningham(7)
P: Barringer (7-U)

Some may well go earlier than listed (and some should), which is fine, but regardless, that's the round level at which I'd get interested.

[crueltyabc]

@thunderspirit I notice you're pretty high on Dante Stills relative to various draftniks I follow. Do you expect he'll add weight or do you think he's explosive enough to get buy as a < 290 guy?

[thunderspirit]

@thunderspirit I notice you're pretty high on Dante Stills relative to various draftniks I follow. Do you expect he'll add weight or do you think he's explosive enough to get buy as a < 290 guy?

I think Stills can be a rotational contributor, yeah. I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm expecting much more than that, but I do think he can get by with what he has now as part of a rotation. Worth a Day 3 pick in my view.

[BreadNCircuses]

I really want Andre Carter II Electric Boogaloo. I have an unreasonable hope he's the next Jason Taylor

[Moriarty]

I really want Andre Carter II Electric Boogaloo. I have an unreasonable hope he's the next Jason Taylor

He's fallen a LONG way on some boards.

On the lower end, I think he's absolutely a steal.
But the Bears only have roster space for 1 more DE (unless they drop Dom) - so you'd like your one rookie to be as high end as possible.

[thunderspirit]

I really want Andre Carter II Electric Boogaloo. I have an unreasonable hope he's the next Jason Taylor

He's fallen a LONG way on some boards.

On the lower end, I think he's absolutely a steal.
But the Bears only have roster space for 1 more DE (unless they drop Dom) - so you'd like your one rookie to be as high end as possible.

Pretty sure they'd keep DRob and bid Gipson farewell if they landed a second DE and had to release one of their guys.

But then they also could keep 5 DEs, since Walker can slide inside in some alignments.

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

Yeah Gipson went backwards last season. D Rob has potential. Gipson is looking to get paid so I think he’s next for the cut

[RichH55]

Great thread - thanks

[EricTighe]

Great job.

I sad, I no see Darius Rush. Love him for our third-round pick.

[thunderspirit]

Great job.

I sad, I no see Darius Rush. Love him for our third-round pick.

Not a fan, myself. Rush doesn't meet my market share thresholds for CB (I freely admit I'm big on those at certain positions, and DB is definitely one).

That's not to say he won't be a good player — he well could become one, despite my filters — just that those production thresholds are a big part of my evaluation on those players.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

One thing I have noticed about a lot of the picks by Poles and Flus. They are high character players that seem to play faster on tape than their measurables would suggest. And that's what matters, right? Who gives a shit if you can run a 4.3 40 in a t-shirt if your on-field speed is a 4.5.