Chicago Bears Draft Grades
The teams biggest needs coming into the draft weekend were that of OL, WR, and CB. One could argue setting up Justin Fields with weapons and protection should have taken center stage, but would it? The Chicago Bears did not have a first round pick, as they traded it away last season for the pick used to land Justin Fields, whom I wasn’t very high on. The jury is still out on him, but the verdict is in on the 2022 Bears Draft Grade.
39th Overall Selection (RD2-7) Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
The Bears opted not to help Fields with their first pick. However, they did address their other major area of concern, cornerback. Gordon has major potential. Playing alongside Trent McDuffie, who went in the first round to the Chiefs, may have hurt his draft stock actually, yet many teams were reported to have the athletic, rangy cover man rated as a first rounder. Anytime a team can fill a need with a potential first rounder in round 2, it has to be a win. Still, I would have liked to see them get Fields some protection here or a weapon.
Grade B+
48th Overall Selection (RD2-16) Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
The Bears surely wouldn’t pass on helping Fields twice in a row would they? Yes, Yes, They would. Eberflus seems to be rebuilding the secondary by adding the talented safety from Penn State. Brisker is a do it all safety who should step into a starting role immediately. Our very own Brandon Claburn has been high on this young man all season and for good reason. The Bears landed a good player, however I feel they should have added a pass blocker or WR here still, hurting this grade.
Grade B-
71st Overall Selection (RD3-7) Velus Jones, WR, Tennessee
The Bears finally take a WR with their third pick. Yet this pick doesn’t excite me. Jones is an ex running back who needs a lot of development at this point. I had a day three grade on him. With players like Bernhard Raimann and Jalen Tolbert, who I thought would have been a way better option, still on the board this pick made no sense at all to me.
Grade F
168th Overall selection (RD5-25) Braxton Jones, OL, Southern Utah State
Another developmental player who may offer Fields some support in a year or two, but not now. Not sure what the Bears are thinking here. Jones has NFL size and played well at the FCS level. Hopefully the staff can help him continue to develop and teach him how to use those 26” arms of his to keep pass rushers away from their QB. Yet again, there were many players I would have preferred here. Center Luke Wattenberg and Guard Cade Mays are two I would have liked instead.
Grade D+
174th Overall Selection (RD5-31) Dominique Robinson, Edge, Miami (OH)
Yet another developmental player here. Robinson is a feel good story. Not often do you hear about a WR turned Edge rusher, but alas here we are. Robinson has crazy long arms, sporting an 82” wingspan. The ex wide receiver has good burst and agility, but produced only 4.5 sacks last season. Hopefully the Bears don’t expect him to replace Khalil Mack.
Grade D+
186th Overall Selection (RD6-7) Zach Thomas, G, San Diego State
It’s the sixth round now so I cant hate each pick as much, seeing how teams are generally looking for upside and upside alone at this point. Thomas played tackle in college, but will need to slip inside in the NFL. He is an adequate run blocker, and needs vast improvement as a pass blocker. This pick was another reach in my eyes though, as he didn’t even make the PFN top 300 board, and I hadn’t even watched his tape prior to the draft. Both Cade Mays and Jamaree Salyer were still on the board. Are the Bears drawing names from a hat?
Grade D
203rd Overall Selection (RD6-25) Trestan Ebner, RB, Baylor
Ebner offers the Bears a receiving back who can also play between the tackles. He was a prolific receiving threat for Baylor having recorded over 1,500 yards receiving in his collegiate career. If Tarik Cohen isn’t resigned, I would expect Ebner to make a run for a roster spot in camp to fill his shoes. How ever if Cohen is, Ebner is no more than a practice body and special teamer.
Grade C
207th Overall Selection (RD6-29) Doug Kramer, C, Illinois
It’s almost the seventh round and this is my favorite lineman the Bears took. Kramer will offer depth along the interior offensive line and has starter upside. Standing 6’2” and weighing in at 299 some call him undersized, but he is built to play center. He is smart and tough nosed. Chicago fans will like the home state player.
Grade A
226th Overall Selection (RD7-5) Ja’Tyre Carter, G, Southern
Carter is a compact player with great punch in his hands at the point of attack. He played tackle in college but is best suited for guard in the NFL. Yet again, they are doing too little too late to help Fields. No one expects to see Carter in a Pro-Bowl any time soon.
Grade C+
254th Overall Selection (RD7-33) Elijah Hicks, S, California
At this point the Bears would have to pull a hippo out of a hat to wow me. I mean Ricks is a special teams player at best, but its the 254th pick so… Honestly the Bears should have just given their picks back and not used them long ago in this draft.
Grade C-
255th Overall Selection (RD7-34) Trenton Gill, P, NC State
The Bears got to pick back to back, so I guess that’s kind of cool. This may unfortunately for Bears fans turn out to be one of their brighter moments of the 2022 NFL Draft. Gill may not be the first punter off the board, but he did average 45 yards per punt, and he gets good leverage on his kicks. If he beats out Wilson for the punting job, Gill may very well be the rookie that touches the ball the most for the Bears.
Bears Draft Grade Overall Grade D+
Sorry Bears fans. Overall, I just felt that the front office failed miserably. I do like Gordon and Brisker. For this draft to be a win, they both have to finish 1-2 in defensive rookie of the year voting though. However, they weren’t the players I would have taken to help young Justin Fields. As a Colts fan I was really rooting for Matt Eberflus to have a great draft, but that just didn’t happen. As a matter of fact, him and Ryan Poles should be embarrassed.
Bears Draft Grade.
Tony
May 8, 2022 6:47 amAs a Bear fan I don’t like such criticism but I can handle it if it is justified. I stopped reading your comments when you talked about Tarik Cohen. It just shows how much you know about football. Cohen was cut months ago. You are a Buffun and your comments should be ignored
Admin
May 8, 2022 6:18 pmWe know he was cut. That’s why I say if he isn’t resigned i guess you would have preferred me saying signed. Cohen was cut with an injury designation. It is actually very common for teams to cut players with that designation and bring them back on a more team friendly contract when healthy.