Fan Reaction To The Chicago Bears Draft

The Chicago Bears came into the 2022 NFL Draft needing pretty much everything, as the roster was a complete and total mess after the departure of former general manager Ryan Pace. The Bears and new GM Ryan Poles have actively been trying to wipe the team clean of big contracts and veteran players from the former regime, while bringing in their own guys to build for the future that they envision for the team.

In the Draft, it was clear that the team made a commitment early to improve their defense after it had taken a massive step back last season. Chicago was continuously beaten over the top for big plays, with the only member of the secondary doing a good job at preventing them being second-year man Jaylon Johnson. That obviously caught the attention of Poles when he became the new GM and analyzed the roster, because he made a big commitment to fixing those issues right away.

The Bears had no first-round selection from trading up last season for QB Justin Fields, but they had two second-rounders, which they used on Washington CB Kyler Gordon and Penn State S Jaquan Brisker. Gordon was desperately needed opposite of Johnson as a CB2, but he is a very dynamic player who can play inside OR outside coverage. He led the Huskies in pass deflections and interceptions in 2021, and that is something the Bears need in the worst way.

Chicago allowed 31 passing touchdowns in 2021, which is tied for second-most allowed in franchise history. Gordon is a good start at fixing that, and the addition of Brisker goes a long way as well. He'll presumably start next to Eddie Jackson at strong safety this coming year, as most of his snaps at Penn State came in the box. However, that doesn't mean he can't be a ball hawk. His size, standing at 6'1", and versatility make him a prime candidate at the position to play down or deep.

My biggest problem with the Bears draft is their total ignorance of helping out Fields with playmakers that can open up the offense. They selected Tennessee WR Velus Jones Jr. in the third-round, a 25-year-old rookie that saw modest production in college. Jones is fast, there is no denying his 4.31-second 40-yard dash, but there were more proven receivers on the board when they selected Jones. Guys like Jalen Tolbert, Calvin Austin III and David Bell were all still there. Of course, I'll probably get burned for this in the future when Jones becomes a star, but this is being written just after the Draft.

The Bears added depth on the offensive line later in the draft with OL's Braxton Jones, Zach Thomas, Doug Kramer and Ja'Tyre Carter. They might not be high draft selections, but it was clear Poles wanted depth there after spending four picks on the position. The Bears gave up far too many sacks in 2021, and with this many OL selections, it reflects a long-term commitment to building pass protection around Fields. It was a refreshing sight to see, honestly, after the line had been ignored for much of the Ryan Pace era.

One guy who could shock everyone is fifth-round selection Dominique Robinson out of Miami (OH). Robinson never started a game on defense in college, but has a high ceiling backed by length and his ability to explode off the edge. He's inexperienced, yes, but he has all the tools necessary to develop into a dominant pass-rusher. Head coach Matt Eberflus will look to get the most out of him and develop him into a star.

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