With the new Ryan and Matt regime in Chicago, Bears fans have a lot to be excited about for the future of the team. In their first draft, Ryan Poles and the rest of the front office began their long rebuild strong.

Poles went aggressive for his first draft, trading four times all in day three. The great depth in this draft class was clearly acknowledged by Poles and he took advantage of it, turning six picks into eleven. Among these picks traded was the 2023 6th round pick included in the Khalil Mack trade, which Chicago traded back to the Chargers for 2022 picks 254 and 255.

Round 2 pick 39: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington 

The biggest hole in the Chicago Bears team in the 2021 season was for sure the cornerbacks. Since the departure of Kyle Fuller, they couldn’t find another corner to pair along with stud second- corner Jaylon Johnson. Poles used his first pick to fill this hole and it sounds very familiar to Johnson as a high second-round corner from the Pac-12.

Nick’s grade: A

Eddie’s grade: A-

Round 2 pick 48: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State

The Bears got a steal with Jaquan Brisker in the mid-second round. He was one of the most versatile safeties in college football last year and was projected to go very early in the second round. While we missed out on a wide receiver at this pick, we got more help for our weak secondary with Brisker, who is also elite at strong tackling support.

Eddie’s grade: A

I believe Jaquan Brisker is a great player and may be a great safety in this league, but with Georgia wide receiver George Pickens still available and a Bears wide receiver core that was in need of depth, this was a miss from the staff.

Nick’s grade: C

Round 3 pick 71: Velus Jones, Jr., WR, Tennessee

After losing Marquise Goodwin and Jakeem Grant in the offseason, the Bears drafted their replacement in the third round, Velus Jones, Jr. This pick has a ton of boom or bust potential: he’s already 24 years old, but he is incredibly fast, running a 4.31 second 40-yard dash. Jones Jr. was the best receiver in college football after the catch last year, with the most years per reception after the catch. With the right coaching, he could be a great big-play threat.

Nick’s grade: A

Eddie’s grade: A-

Round 5 pick 168: Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah State

The Bears needed to address their offensive line in this draft, and they finally did in the fifth round with Braxton Jones. Jones has an incredible build for the offensive tackle position, with a wingspan of almost seven feet. Good coaching can make up for his lacking fundamentals and help turn the offensive line around. The only issue is that he started at tackle for Southern Utah State and this Bears offensive line is struggling more at guard.

Nick’s grade: B-

Eddie’s grade: B+

Round 5 pick 174: Dominique Robinson, Edge, Miami (Ohio)

While Dominique Robinson didn’t start at all in 2021, he was voted third-team all conference at the edge rusher position. The Bears took a gamble with this pick, as Robinson only switched to defense in 2020’s shortened season after playing wide receiver since 2017. 

Nick’s grade: C

Eddie’s grade: B-

Round 6 pick 186: Zach Thomas, G, San Diego State

A versatile offensive lineman, Zach Thomas has taken collegiate snaps all over the line at San Diego State, bringing great depth to the Bears. He was an excellent run blocker but a below-average pass blocker, allowing five sacks, four hits, and 23 pressures. Although he was proficient at run blocking, the Bears were also strong in run blocking and very poor in pass blocking in 2021, so this pick could keep the same problem for the Chicago offense.

Nick’s grade: B-

Eddie’s grade: B

Round 6 pick 203: Trestan Ebner, RB, Baylor

After the loss of key special teamers Tarik Cohen and Jakeem Grant, the Bears took a great replacement in Ebner who can run, catch, and return balls. He earned special teams player of the year in the Big 12 in 2020 and tied the FBS lead for two kick return scores.

Nick’s grade: A-
Eddie’s grade: A-

Round 6 pick 207: Doug Kramer, C, Illinois

Although this was a late 6th round pick, Kramer’s childhood dream of becoming a Chicago Bear became true. Raised in Hinsdale Central and continuing to play at the University of Illinois, he was destined to become a Bear. He was a great run blocker but below-average pass blocker at Illinois, but nonetheless was a fierce competitor and grinder. 

Nick’s grade: B
Eddie’s grade: B+

Round 7 pick 226: Ja’Tyre Carter, G, Southern

At 6’5 275 pounds, Carter has great size for the tackle position. He also is a very low risk pick as he wasn’t exceptionally great in college but shows great potential to help bolster this Bears unit. 

Nick’s grade: B+
Eddie’s grade: B

Round 7 pick 254: Elijah Hicks, DB, California

Hicks was a strong captain for the Cal football team and led the defense in 3,131 career snaps. The big issue that dropped Hicks so far down was a Jones injury that he suffered right before the Shrine bowl. He did not earn a draft invite because of it and still has not been able to play since then. Another low risk high reward type of guy from Poles as well. 

Nick’s grade: B
Eddie’s grade: B+

Round 7 pick 255: Trenton Gill, P, N.C. State

With the loss of one of the NFL’s most consistent punters, Pat O’Donnell, to Green Bay, Poles used his final pick to hopefully fill this hole in the roster. Gill led the ACC in average punt length of 45.1 yards per punt and was all ACC first team. We know he can punt, but we can only hope that he can hold as great as O’Donnell. 

Nick’s grade: A-
Eddie’s grade: A-

Overall, the Bears had a very solid draft for not having a first-round pick. Poles took advantage of this deep 2022 draft class with a lot of low-risk, high upside players that could be game-changers in future years.

Overall grade

Nick’s grade: B

Eddie’s grade: B+