Bears Zeroing in on Draft

It's one month out from the 2023 NFL Draft and GM Ryan Poles is prepared to focus on that aspect of the offseason after signing 10 free agents.

Anyone expecting the Bears to look for a veteran right tackle in free agency from the paltry pickings still remaining should readjust their thinking and wait until May because he told reporters at Monday at the NFL owners meetings "...right now, to improve our team, I think we got to look to the draft."

The Bears are in prime position to add a tackle in Round 1, possibly with their choice of every tackle.

"We're about to turn the page with the draft and take that next step," Poles said at the meetings.

There are still some pro days going on until a second Alabama pro day on April 6. Clemson has a pro day with defensive lineman Myles Murphy scheduled for April 4, which could also be of interest to the Bears. Murphy, a projected first-rounder, injured his hamstring during warmups at the combine and hasn't been timed.

The Bears also have their 30 pro day visits with players at Halas Hall going on and they'll continue.

Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network reported they have hosted Northwestern's three-technique defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore, who ran a 4.49-second 40 at the combine at 281 pounds.

The Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons hosted Northwestern DL Adetomiwa Adebawore on a Top 30 visit, per source.

One of the more unique athletes in the class and a potential dominant presence on Sundays.
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) March 27, 2023

It's been widely reported they will meet with embattled Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter.

Ohio State beat writer Dan Hope reported the Bears are scheduled to visit at Halas Hall with Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba said he has pre-draft visits scheduled with the Bears, Panthers and Saints.

Cam Brown had dinner with the New Saints last night and has a visit scheduled with the Bengals.

Tanner McCalister is scheduled to visit the Cowboys.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) March 22, 2023

WalterFootball.com reports meetings various teams had of all sorts and lists Maryland tackle Jaelyn Duncan, Ohio State tackle Paris Johnson Jr., Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed and Pitt defensive end Deslin Alexandre as making "top-30" visits to Halas Hall.

Also scheduled for top-30 visits to Hall is Virginia receiver Dontayvion Wicks, according to Cavaliers reporter Jacquie Fanciulli, and both Purdue tight end Payne Durham and Arkansas center Ricky Stromberg.

After the #UVA pro day, CB Anthony Johnson told reporters he will visit the Miami Dolphins, while WR Dontayvion Wicks says he will visit the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears.
— Jacquie Franciulli (@JacquieFran_) March 22, 2023

#Purdue TE Payne Durham has a Top-30 visit scheduled with the following teams.#Bills #Bears #Cowboys #Rams
— James Layton (@RedZoneInsider) March 12, 2023

These players had combine visits with the Bears according to Walterfootball.com:

Alabama defensive end Will Anderson

Kansas State cornerback Julius Brents

Appalachian State edge rusher Nick Hampton

Clemson edge rusher K.J. Henry

Iowa State wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson

Maryland wide receiver Rakim Jarrett

LSU edge B.J. Ojulari

South Carolina defensive tackle Zacch Pickens

SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice

Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon

Texas Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson

Kansas edge rusher Noah Taylor

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.

The Carter visit will be the important one.

Teams are able to log information on players at these meetings even though in most cases they get drafted elsewhere. Linebacker Jermaine Edmunds had a visit like that to Halas Hall before being drafted by Buffalo.

But in Carter's case it could matter because of his great talent and the situation involving the racing and reckless driving charges made against him in a fatal Georgia car crash. Also, because of poor pro day workout he had when he showed up 9 pounds heavier than at the combine two weeks earlier.

The Bears had a chance at the combine to talk to him briefly but it was before word came out later in the day about the charges against him.

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven

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