2023 NFL Draft odds: Chicago Bears earn top overall pick first time since 1947; Bryce Young may slip out of favored role
The Chicago Bears own the top overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
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As a Chicago Bears fan, I can tell you this season went about as well as possible. Yes, the Bears ended the year 3-14 and on a 10-game losing streak following a 29-13 home defeat to Minnesota on Sunday. However, the team appears to finally have a franchise quarterback in Justin Fields (didn't play Sunday), and Chicago's loss coupled with Houston's win in Indianapolis gave the Bears the No 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Sportsbooks had favored Bryce Young as the -125 favorite as that pick but that may change now (new odds TBA).
The last time the Bears picked first overall was in 1947 when they took halfback Bob Fenimore from something called Oklahoma A&M. Chicago will not be taking a halfback on April 27 in Kansas City (site of this year's draft) and not a quarterback, either. If the team stays put, it is expected to take either Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter or Alabama pass-rusher Will Anderson. They both had been -750 to go first overall, but that was when it appears the Texans would pick first and grab Young or Ohio State QB CJ Stroud (+200).
Houston, perhaps ironically coached by former Bears coach Lovie Smith, trailed at Indianapolis on Sunday 31-24, but with 50 seconds left Davis Mills threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Akins. Kudos to Smith for going for a two-point try in a meaningless game, and it was converted for a 32-31 victory.
It's a very distinct possibility that Bears GM Ryan Poles trades the top overall pick for multiple picks to a quarterback-needy team like perhaps Houston (picking second), the Seattle Seahawks (own Denver's first-round pick) or Indianapolis (currently fifth but could move up a spot or two depending on the late-afternoon games), moves down a few spots and still gets either Carter or Anderson. Defense is definitely a priority this offseason. The books may well keep Young favored with the guestimate of a Bears trade.
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