2023 NFL Mock Draft: C.J. Stroud back on top, Cowboys with a surprise pick
By Randy Gurzi
Scouting Report. DT. 2. player. Pick Analysis. Georgia. Jalen Carter. 57
2. Chicago Bears: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before — the Chicago Bears are in need of an overhaul on their roster.
For whatever reason, this franchise can’t get out of its own way. Somehow, they’ve built a strong enough roster in the past to get Rex Grossman into the Super Bowl and then had a winning record with Mitchell Trubisky. But then when they get a legit quarterback, they can’t figure out how to build around him.
That’s where they are now as Justin Fields is making strides as a player but has no help. In order to contend, they need to surround him with — everything. They also need to fix their entire defense after trading all their best players this year.
With needs all over the place, they go with the top player on the board which is Jalen Carter. He won’t be able to fix everything on his own but since they traded their pick in Round 2 already, they’re going to hope he can.
36. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. EDGE. player. Alabama. Will Anderson. 3
3. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos): Will Anderson, Jr., EDGE, Alabama
It’s going to be tempting for the Seattle Seahawks to take Bryce Young at this spot but they did well enough with Geno Smith that they might elect to go for an elite defender and see if someone falls to them at No. 13.
Using that strategy, they bring in Will Anderson, Jr. from Alabama who is the best pass rusher in this class. Seattle has used several picks on the edge but Anderson will be the one who turns into a star for them.