POTENTIAL MOCK TRADE: Chicago Bears trade 5th round pick (136th overall) to Los Angeles Rams for a 5th (156th) and two sixth (188th and 189th) round picks.
Chicago Bears 2023 mock draft, Round 5 via Trade, 156th overall: Nick Andersen, S, Wake Forest
Though Eddie Jackson is currently situated as the starting free safety for the Chicago Bears, there is a possibility that it might not be the case after the 2022 season because of cap issues.
Or because Chicago will rely on the instincts of Ryan Poles to find a younger, cheaper option. All of this goes out the door if Jackson plays lights out.
Still, it never hurts to find depth at the position, especially in this day and age where offenses are throwing the ball all over the place. As such, Chicago heads to Wake Forest and takes Nick Andersen, a free safety.
Again, from his early years to now, Andersen has been a playmaker, an instinctive player, and overall, he just has a nose for the football.
A star at Centreville High School in Clifton, Virginia, Andersen showcased his versatility which caught the eye of the Demon Deacons. In his first year, he grabbed four interceptions, good for eighth in the nation.
In 2021, he had just one pick and 44 total tackles. Though his production dipped, his style of play is still worthy of taking a flier.
The Bears need as many players as possible who are bent on taking the ball away and being instinctive with speed. That would be Andersen, and at this point, Chicago has no choice but to completely revamp the roster in a modern image.
Nick Andersen would help as a special teams gunner and potentially, with some refining of technique, can contribute more frequently.