Mel Kiper Reveals What He Thinks Bears Do With #1 Pick

There are few more well-known draft experts among NFL fans than Mel Kiper. He’s been a mainstay of ESPN for decades, showcasing his impressive knowledge of college prospects. His track record of predicting success is solid, and he’s also surprisingly good at pinpointing which positions teams will target in the 1st round. Last year he perfectly predicted three of the first four picks, including #1 overall. That is why it was interesting to see his thoughts on what the Chicago Bears will do.

In his first mock draft of the year, he acknowledged the strong possibility that Chicago might trade the pick. It makes sense, given how many needs their roster has. However, with it being so early in the process, it is hard to get a feel for what GM Ryan Poles might be thinking. So Kiper opted to have them keep the pick. That left the tough decision of who he thinks they will prioritize. In the end, he went with who he believes is the best player in the entire draft and a perfect fit for their defense.

“Jalen Carter, DT, GeorgiaChicago’s roster needs help from top to bottom, but its defense was particularly dreadful in 2022, ranking last in the league in sacks (20) and points allowed per game (27.2). It has to be D all the way for wherever the Bears make their selection. Carter, an explosive interior pass-rusher and run-stuffer, gets the nod over Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. on my Big Board. He’s the best player in this draft, a Day 1 starter in the middle of this defense.”

Mel Kiper going with Carter isn’t a surprise.

Nobody can deny the Georgia defensive tackle is a game-wrecker when he’s on. The guy has a level of quickness and speed nobody over 300 lbs should have. He’s also freakishly strong, able to take on double and even triple teams without losing ground. When he is properly motivated, there is nobody that can block him. That is why Georgia won two national championships with him in the mix. He can be that impactful. The big questions with him are his consistency and technique concerns. He tends to disappear for stretches during games, which explains his limited production.

Part of that could be his lack of a true pass rush plan. He relies heavily on his natural talent to do the work for him. He won’t get away with that in the NFL. The Bears would need the confidence to believe they can correct those issues. If they do, many experts believe they could be getting the next Fletcher Cox. That would be ideal. The interior pass rusher position is the most important in Eberflus’ defense. Mel Kiper is correct in projecting Carter since he is by far the best fit for that job in this class.