Hot Takes, Predictions for Bears Rookies After 2023 NFL Draft

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles stayed busy working the phones during the 2023 NFL draft at the weekend. Because of that, the team was successful in building a solid rookie class and adding draft capital for the future.

Of the 10 picks used by Chicago this year, seven were acquired by trade. That included the No. 10 overall selection, which the Bears used to select Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright.

They originally owned the No. 1 overall pick, then traded with the Carolina Panthers to move down to No. 9 and then worked a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles to move back another spot.

Many of Chicago's draft selections came with the future in mind, as the team is rebuilding and trying to construct a core setting it up for long-term success. But some of these incoming rookies have the potential to be immediate contributors this upcoming season.

Here are some early hot takes and predictions for the Bears' 2023 rookie class.

Wright Will Start Every Game During 2023 Season

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Chicago Bears number one draft pick offensive lineman Darnell Wright waits for an interview after news conference at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Ill., Friday, April 28, 2023. The Chicago Bears selected offensive lineman Darnell Wright with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday evening. The Bears acquired the 10th overall selection after completing a pair of trades with the Carolina Panthers on March 15, and the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Considering quarterback Justin Fields was sacked an NFL-high 55 times in 2022, the Bears needed to upgrade their offensive line this offseason.

So, it wasn't surprising they used their lone selection in the first round on Darnell Wright, who should immediately plug a hole at right tackle.

The 21-year-old is an impressive prospect with the size (6'5" and 333 pounds) and skills necessary to become an anchor for Chicago's O-line for the long term. He'll provide an immediate boost and should help cut down on the number of times Fields gets sacked.

Over his four years at Tennessee, Wright started 42 games at three different positions. In 2022, he started all 13 games at right tackle and was named to the All-SEC first team, continually excelling against the tough competition he faced.

He should be able to do the same thing at the NFL level. He'll start every game for the Bears in 2023, making a smooth transition to the pros and solidifying his spot on Chicago's offensive front for the foreseeable future.

Johnson Will Lead the Team in Rushing Touchdowns

AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez

Texas running back Roschon Johnson prepares to workout during Texas Pro Day, on Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)

Texas running back Roschon Johnson may have been overlooked a bit during the leadup to the 2023 NFL draft. He was blocked by Bijan Robinson during his time with the Longhorns, so he never got to fully show what he may be capable of.

That's why the 22-year-old was available for the Bears to take at the No. 115 overall pick in the fourth round. And they were quite glad he was still on the board at that point.

"He's someone we really feel compelled can become a pillar of this organization for a really long time," Bears area scout John Syty said, per Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago. "I feel really strongly about this guy."

Chicago could have a three-headed rushing attack this season, with Johnson joining D'Onta Foreman and Khalil Herbert in the backfield. Even though Johnson will be a rookie, it's clear the Bears are high on him. And because he's a bruising back, his ceiling could be as high as leading the team in rushing scores this season.

It's a bit of a hot take, but the early prediction here is that Johnson will get a much larger opportunity than he had with the Longhorns and capitalize on it by getting into the end zone more than any other player on the Chicago roster in 2023.

Sewell Will Be Most Improved Rookie from Start to Finish

AP Photo/Amanda Loman

Oregon football player Noah Sewell (1) participates in a position drill at the school's NFL Pro Day, Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

There are areas of Noah Sewell's game that will need to improve for the linebacker to develop into a strong NFL player.

That's not a surprise, though, and it's why the Bears had the opportunity to take the 21-year-old with the No. 148 overall pick in the fifth round of the draft.

However, Sewell has a lot of potential. He's a strong, physical player who was a three-year starter for Oregon and can rack up tackles, as he showed by collecting 218 in 43 college games.

In order to have NFL success, he has to do a better job in pass coverage and improve his reaction time. Fortunately for him, he'll have an opportunity to learn from an experienced group of LBs in Chicago that now includes Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards.

Sewell will gain knowledge and should get small tastes of the action in 2023. Because of that, he'll improve the most of any rookie in the Bears' incoming class during the upcoming season, putting him in a spot to better contribute in future years.

If he realizes his full potential, he could even become a starter down the line.