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Chicago Bears way-too-early 2023 Mock Draft: Get Justin Fields help

By Sravan Gannavarapu

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 24: Rakim Jarrett #1 of the Maryland Terrapins tries to escape the tackle of Junior Colson #25 of the Michigan Wolverines after a first half catch at Michigan Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 24: Rakim Jarrett #1 of the Maryland Terrapins tries to escape the tackle of Junior Colson #25 of the Michigan Wolverines after a first half catch at Michigan Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Bears
COLUMBUS, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 24: Offensive lineman Luke Wypler #53 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates a touchdown with tight end Cade Stover #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first quarter at Ohio Stadium on September 24, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gaelen Morse/Getty Images) /

TRADE: Chicago trades their 5th (151st) and 7th (213th) round picks to the New York Giants for a 5th (155th) and two seventh (217th and 219th) round picks. 

Round 5 Pick 152 VIA TRADE: Luke Wypler, OC, Ohio State

Sam Mustipher is not the answer at the center position. Doug Kramer, while athletic, is limited and currently injured. Lucas Patrick is an excellent player to have there, but the Bears are better off drafting and developing a center to anchor their line. They need to look no further than Justin Fields’ alma mater to find a potential solution.

Luke Wypler isn’t exactly the vision of an NFL center. At 6’2″ 285 pounds, he may be a bit undersized. What gets lost, however, is his instincts and violent burst off the ball, which is a bit surprising for an undersized center but very useful in the system the Bears want to run. Plus, he comes from a culture that breeds angry men in the trenches. While not all of them fit that mold, most do, and Wypler has a shot to continue that tradition.

What he needs to work on is his consistency in balance. When he’s on point, the running lanes are open, and defenders are blocked off. Otherwise, he can hold up, but with great difficulty. It’s going to take good coaching, but Chris Morgan has done well before with projects, and this one, while a bit challenging, can provide more reward than risk.

Round 5 Pick 155 VIA TRADE: Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington

Speed is the name of the game. In case you haven’t heard, speed is the name of the game. The Bears need more of that in their receiving core. Until the offensive line gels, it will take guys with good speed and release to allow Justin Fields to flourish. Also, it’s never a bad idea to take late-round fliers on receivers with good speed.

Meet Jalen McMillan. Not only does he have top-tier speed, but he’s also not afraid to go up and get the football. That’s two traits that you can’t coach. Also, his ability to break in and out of cuts and get a quick release off the line will serve him wonders against defensive backs in the league that may try to press him because of his frame.

A weakness of McMillan could be his limited route knowledge coming from a wide-open offense at Washington, but he is intelligent enough to pick up things on the fly. Plus, playing under wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert will allow him to unlock his potential and compete for playing time early with the Bears, who need all the help they can get from the wide-receiver position.

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