Mel Kiper explains why he has Jalen Carter over Will Anderson in first 2023 NFL Mock Draft

As we get closer and closer to the 2023 NFL Draft in April, all eyes are on the Chicago Bears to see who they select with the number one overall pick. ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper released the first edition of his mock draft, slating the Bears to select Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter with the top pick. He explained the reasoning he has Carter was his top guy, and also why Chicago should stick with Justin Fields and not select a quarterback.

“I would not, I’m a big Justin Fields guy, I was when he came out I had him number two to Trevor Lawrence in that draft on the ratings board,” Kiper said. “Justin Fields made a lot of progress, we saw what he can do as a multi-dimensional quarterback, that dual-threat quarterback. Help him out though, Kimberly was talking about help the quarterback, well get him some weapons.”

Some say your defense is your best offense, which Kiper seems to believe should be the train of thought for the Chicago Bears, as he explained why they should take Carter over Alabama EDGE Will Anderson.

“The o-line, keep developing that, get a d-lineman to help that defense, that could help the quarterback as well. They’re defensive line’s a big problem, Jalen Carter is a disruptor along the interior, that’s what quarterbacks hate. Will Anderson Jr., Alabama, was not as dominant this year as he was in 2021, he doesn’t have the bend off the edge of a Myles Garrett or a Vonn Miller, that’s why I went with Jalen Carter number one,” Kiper explained.

There’s no question that both Anderson and Carter bring a ton of potential to the table, both proving their dominance at the college level. And despite this draft class being loaded at the quarterback position, Kiper believes that the lack of a true, unquestioned top guy at the position makes Carter the choice.

“The quarterbacks, Greeny, are all mysteries, we don’t know. I think Will Levis is QB1 that’s me others disagree, but I think at the end of the day you take the quarterback you know, you’ve seen at the pro level develop, why would you go away from Justin Fields to take quarterbacks who are all coming into the NFL without a consensus as to who the number one quarterback really is?”