March Madness. This is what it’s all about. Buzzer beaters, upsets, and earth-shattering NFL news. The Chicago Bears just sent the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers for a COLOSSAL HAUL! Bears GM Ryan Poles swung for the fences here as Chicago hauls in: No. 9, No. 61, a 2024 first, a 2025 second, and stud wideout D.J. Moore. This has grand slam potential and we’re here to dive into what these picks might become…

Carolina Panthers

Liam:

Look, even my grandma knows that Carolina just moved up to (hopefully) land its franchise quarterback. The options are obviously the top four QBs in 2023: C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis. One of these young men will be starting the next chapter of their life in Charlotte. And I believe that Panthers GM Scott Fitterer moved up for…

C.J. Stroud.

Back on Jan. 13, Underdog Fantasy Football released a video on YouTube where Panthers QB coach Josh McCown is scouting Stroud. McCown sat down with Josh Norris and opted to review the tape against Georgia. It’s evident from the jump that McCown is enamored with the talent Stroud boasts and is eager to work with the 21-year-old prospect.

this content is so sick

Josh McCown enamored with CJ Stroud and saying things like…

“We’re gonna have to spend a little time in the Spring cleaning that up.”

“We can teach him that, we can coach him through that, we can do that.” pic.twitter.com/KDAgF8CgTw

— Liam (@Blutman27) March 10, 2023

I just love the words he was choosing to use back in January. And maybe I’m looking too deep into it, but that’s a whole lot of WE… just saying.

I’ll leave you with this…

wonder who the Panthers traded up for 🤔 pic.twitter.com/NEB0ayHdhg

— Liam (@Blutman27) March 10, 2023

Matt:

With their newly-acquired No. 1 overall pick, I expect the Panthers to select C.J. Stroud. That was my first reaction upon seeing the trade, and after a little bit of time to reflect, I still feel that way. It would seem like most people agree with me, as Stroud has jumped to the odds-on favorite to be the first pick, and after seeing the clip of the Panthers’ QB coach Josh McCown fawning over Stroud, I can see why. So now we know who Carolina is taking. How does he fit into the Panthers’ scheme?

The Panthers enter the 2023 season under a new regime with Frank Reich as their new head coach. Reich hails from the school of the West Coast offense, and as such is described as a coach that makes things fairly simple for the quarterback. The main objective of the passing game in the West Coast offense is to give the QB open throwing lanes to get the ball out quickly and give receivers the opportunity for yards after the catch. Stroud should fit well into this; he throws a catchable, accurate ball, and his processing speed has always been regarded as good to great. The biggest issue he will face in the early part of his career is the second factor in the passing game — the receivers.

As part of the trade, the Panthers sent their best offensive weapon in wide receiver D.J. Moore. This leaves them with a ton of young unproven talent in the receiving room. Laviska Shenault Jr., Shi Smith and Terrace Marshall Jr. would be their most heralded receivers, and while all have flashed potential, few defensive coordinators are going to be up at night worrying about that group. At the tight end position, Ian Thomas is a solid veteran, and Tommy Tremble has flashed some play-making ability. Their running backs are probably their biggest threats, as both Chuba Hubbard and D’Onta Foreman were much better than expected after Christian McCaffrey was traded last year.

I think Stroud is a very good player and fits in well with what the Panthers want to do schematically. However, for him to be successful, they need to surround him with talent going forward. The trade up to get him was an aggressive move, but for it to pay off, they have to continue being aggressive to get weapons for him. This receiver class has some guys that I like a lot in the third round and later, and I would be shocked if the Panthers don’t take a shot on one or two of them. Look for them also to be players in the chase for recently-released Adam Thielen, who would be a great safety blanket to help Stroud develop.

Mitch:

This feels like a grand move up for Anthony Richardson, but I could easily see Frank Reich tabbing C.J. Stroud as his guy. Stroud made all the throws at the combine, worked on his composure under pressure in 2022, and appears to have the leadership tools needed to take on the weight of a rebuilding NFL franchise. Reich could be the perfect mentor to a young QB who could turn the page for Carolina. 

Chicago Bears

Liam:

The Chicago Bears find themselves in a really good spot after this blockbuster, and the ideal pick here is going to be the best offensive lineman… if the Bears actually keep this pick. Yeah, let’s not look right by Poles sticking at No. 9 when it’s clear as day they’ll have the opportunity to move up or down again. But yes, if Chicago is picking at nine and the focus is the o-line: Paris Johnson Jr., Peter Skoronski, Broderick Jones, and a rising Darnell Wright are the candidates. And it’s an easy choice for me…

Paris Johnson Jr. OT – Ohio State

As I see it, he’s the clear top offensive lineman in the class. At 6-foot-6, 313 pounds with massive 36 ⅛-inch arms, I view Johnson as an immediate starter in this league. And hey, it’d be easy for that to be the case in Chicago. This is the left tackle of your future. Braxton Jones makes the move to right tackle and Teven Jenkins has a permanent home at guard. While the Bears offensive line has been lackluster for years, this sounds promising.

With picks 53, 61, and 64 now under Chicago’s belt, Poles and co. have some serious ammo to do damage with on Day 2. With three picks in the span of 12 selections, it’s easy to see the Bears moving up in the second round to take a talented player the front office is high on. This could end up being someone who falls out of the first round and Chicago gets aggressive to snag its guy. Or a move gets made to jump another team who might be honing in on Chicago’s guy. Here’s a few names I think Chicago has interest in on Day 2…

Isaiah Foskey EDGE – Notre Dame

There are a multitude of superb edge rushers in this class, and I feel like there isn’t enough chatter about Isaiah Foskey. At 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, he has been a nightmare for offenses the last two years, collecting 22 sacks in that span. He wins with remarkable bend and quickness off the edge and finishes with ferocity! This kid is also going to impact the game on special teams as it felt like he blocked a field goal or punt in every game. Plenty of strong edge rushing prospects will be available on Day 2, and a franchise will be swinging for a homer with Foskey. Why not Chicago?

Cam Smith CB – South Carolina

I don’t even want to think about my CB1 falling out of the first round, but I’ve seen stranger things happen. If Cam Smith were to be available after Day 1, Poles should be working the phones to acquire an early second and shoot for the moon with Smith. Cam brings all the confidence in the world to the table as the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder looks to bully the opposition for 60 minutes with clever trash talk and big-time physicality. The 22-year-old is a versatile piece that lines up outside and in the nickel. He wants to cover the best, thus he shadows the opposing team’s WR1. Again, I’ve been quite surprised by the lack of love being shown Cam’s way during the pre-draft process.

Tyler Steen OL – Alabama

An under-the-radar pick here would be Tyler Steen out of Alabama. His collegiate career began at Vanderbilt where he was playing defensive tackle. By the end, he was Alabama’s starting left tackle. Steen brings the juice, he’s got exceptional footwork, and he moves so well laterally. Even if Chicago takes an offensive lineman in the first round, Steen is worthy of a selection on Day 2 for this franchise. He can play all spots on the line in addition to finding himself on the field early as a swing tackle.

Now let me take a gander at 2024 and run through this… the fact of the matter is, Carolina is fairly likely to stink again in the 2023 season. In my eyes, this is going to be a top 10 pick at worst, top five potential. Heck, if it’s a top three pick will we be surprised? What can you do though? This is the price you pay for a franchise QB. How good do we think the Bears will be next year? The plan is just for them to improve and show signs of upward trajectory. There’s a world where Chicago has two top five picks next year. And the class is nasty…

Caleb Williams QB – USC

So the first name has to be the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. If the Bears struggle again and Justin Fields’ play isn’t inspiring… it’s likely that this team will have the No. 1 pick once again and a new franchise QB will be in the fold in the form of a can’t-miss prospect named Caleb Williams.

Marvin Harrison Jr. WR – Ohio State

No matter who is playing QB for Chicago in 2024, there’s a decent chance that the QB1 will be throwing to a freak wideout named Marv. Chicago will be looking for an alpha WR1 even with the addition of Moore.

Dallas Turner EDGE – Alabama

Remember this guy? Dallas Turner is in store for a terrific 2023 season in Tuscaloosa. He’ll be a 21-year-old rookie when his name gets called in the 2024 NFL Draft. His wicked pass-rushing abilities fueled by ferocity in addition to crushing it in the SEC as a youngster will make him a highly-coveted prospect. 

Jalen Catalon S – Texas

I’m not saying Jalen Catalon will be a top 10 pick in 2024. But the talented safety will be a coveted prospect next year after a strong showing in burnt orange. His instincts, closing speed, and leadership skills make him a stellar addition to any defense. If his medicals check out, look at Jalen Catalon as a great Day 2 pick in 2024. 

Mitch:

On the Bears at 9: This slot in the draft feels like offensive line to me. Peter Skoronski from Northwestern could easily be on the board. He’s the top graded OL on my board because he has position flex and excellent technique. If the Bears are serious about building around Justin Fields, then keeping him upright and opening lanes for his elite running ability should be a priority. 

On the 2024 picks: The Bears have a lot of capital in next year’s draft. If Fields doesn’t pan out this year, I do wonder if Chicago is trying to win the arms race that it might take to trade up and take Caleb Williams. Next year will also be deep in the trenches. Donovan Jackson (Guard, Ohio State) or Jared Verse (EDGE, Florida State) would make a lot of sense for the Bears if the draft order fell to them.

Closing Thoughts

Liam:

My hope was that Chicago was going to be able to trade down to the middle of the top 10 and then double up the haul by trading down from that spot. But this works. This is an excellent deal for the Bears with monster potential.

While Carolina paid a hefty price, it’s hard to hate on the Panthers’ end of the deal. This is the price you pay for a franchise QB. The potential of a 2024 top five pick not belonging to you is a very tough pill to swallow. I would have tried really hard to find ways to make this deal happen without the inclusion of D.J. Moore. Your rookie QB has no quality wideout to mesh with right now and that really stinks. It’s mission critical that you surround that young man with receiving talent ASAP.

I love the deal for Chicago. I get it for Carolina.