Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Two SEC stars who would upgrade Bears defense in 2023 NFL Draft

By Adam W. Hartog | Last updated 12/12/22

The Chicago Bears have the worst record in the NFC at 3-10 and are projected to have the third pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, per Tankathon. The Bears have more holes to fill than draft picks, making it imperative that they hit on the picks they have.

Barring an unexpected turnaround, the Texans will pick No. 1. Many mocks have Houston selecting a QB at No. 1 overall. Seattle, via Denver and the Russell Wilson trade, currently has the No. 2 pick. If Chicago picks at No. 3, it might have its choice of these two SEC defenders.

Will Anderson Jr. | Edge, Alabama

Dane Brugler of The Athletic and Dan Harrelson of Yahoo! Sports project the Bears will use their first-round pick on Anderson Jr.

As a sophomore, he had 17.5 sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss. That season, he won the Bronco Nagurski Trophy as the top defensive player in college football for the SEC champion Crimson Tide.

Anderson's stats were more modest this season (10 sacks, 17 tackles for loss), but he repeated as the Nagurski Award winner.

Draft analysts cite Anderson's relentless motor and ability to burst from his stance.

ESPN's Matt Miller has compared him to NFL standouts Von Miller, Nick Bosa and Chase Young.

Will Anderson Jr. is relentless

(via @SECNetwork) pic.twitter.com/xmDK52hX2N
— Bleacher Report CFB (@BR_CFB) January 11, 2022

Jalen Carter | DT, Georgia

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has emphasized the importance of having a good three-technique player for his defense to perform at its best. Carter has spearheaded Georgia to two straight College Football Playoff appearances predominantly playing that role.

Josh Edwards of CBS Sports and Alex Shapiro of NBC Sports project Carter will be the Bears first selection.

Shapiro has compared Carter to Hall of Famer Warren Sapp.

Georgia uses Carter in multiple positions along the defensive line, similar to how the Rams move around Aaron Donald. That flexibility would be huge for the Bears, who lack talent across the front four.

Carter has a quick first step that allows him to clog holes in the running lanes and evade blockers, per Pro Football Network.