Grading Ryan Poles’ first NFL Draft as Chicago Bears GM

The Chicago Bears began the 2022 NFL Draft with just six picks and holes to fill on both sides of the ball. When the seventh round came to a close, General Manager Ryan Poles ended his first draft with an astonishing 11 selections. He nearly doubled his pick count with several savvy trades during the middle portion of day three.

The Bears didn’t have a first-round pick, so Chicago’s 2022 draft haul is missing its headliner despite what Poles managed to accomplish this weekend. Then again, you could count quarterback Justin Fields as a part of the draft class since the Bears used this year’s first-rounder in last year’s draft to move up to get him. He’s the headliner.

Three potential starters added on day two

Of the 11 picks the Bears made, the first three are expected to play a significant role in 2022. Cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker were selected in the second round, and wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. was picked in the third round. Gordon and Brisker were good value selections. Both players had a chance to go in the first round and were viewed among the best at their positions in this year’s draft class.

Jones, on the other hand, was considered a mid-day-three prospect whom the Bears selected with a top-75 selection. A reach? Perhaps. But good general managers trust their board, and that’s what Poles did when picking the former Tennessee Volunteer.

Regardless of the pre-draft grades and draft guide rankings, Jones will play a critical role for the Bears in 2022. His dynamic traits make him a legitimate weapon in the passing and return game. He’ll complement Darnell Mooney well, and his 4.31 speed should create opportunities for other receivers like Byron Pringle and David Moore, defenses will be mindful of Jones’ third-level threat and will be forced to give at least some coverage attention to him.

If you’re keeping score, Poles went 3-for-3 on day two, even if Jones wasn’t the preferred choice among fans at wide receiver. Three rookies, three instant contributors, all of whom have pretty high ceilings and bright futures. That’s a win and a job well done.

Day three headlined by offensive line

On day three, Poles acquired four offensive linemen in his effort to find answers for a Bears offense that struggled to keep Fields upright last year. The name to circle from this bunch is San Diego State’s Zachary Thomas, who played offensive tackle in college but will kick inside to guard for the Bears. Thomas is an excellent athlete who should thrive in offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s scheme. His film is promising and suggests he’ll be Chicago’s best option to start at right guard, a position vacated by James Daniels’ departure in free agency.

A potential starter added on day three? That’s a win, too.

Braxton Jones (OT, Southern Utah), Doug Kramer (C, Illinois), and Ja’Tyre Carter (OL, Southern) all offer above-average athleticism and movement skills, which fits the profile Poles said he desires from his offensive linemen. Kramer has the longest way to go before challenging for meaningful reps, and both Jones and Carter are making a relatively big jump in competition. It’s unlikely the Bears will hit on all of these picks, but it takes one good starter (or even a top reserve) to come from the bunch, and it’s another victory for Chicago.

Pass rush receives a boost in fifth round

One of the more exciting selections for the Bears in the 2022 NFL Draft is Miami-OH edge rusher Dominique Robinson, who was picked in the fifth round. The former wide receiver convert is an explosive and twitchy defender whose natural burst and closing speed led to 8.5 sacks in 2021. It was his first full season as a starter on defense. Robinson profiles as a rookie who can contribute in sub packages on passing downs, pin his ears back and let him get after the quarterback. He’ll be a fun player to monitor in the preseason and could enjoy a similar trajectory as Trevis Gipson, who joined the Bears as a fifth-round pick in 2020.

Late picks have something to offer

Baylor running back Trestan Ebner was a surprise selection in the sixth round, in part because his road to making the final roster is paved with obstacles. He’s a quality return man, and he should offer Chicago an upgrade on special teams, but I’m not sure he’s talented enough as a runner to overcome his long odds. I have a hunch the Bears will move Ebner to wide receiver. He proved at Baylor that he’s a quality route-runner with good hands, and with his ability to make plays in the open field, it’d be worth trying him at a new position.

Safety Elijah Hicks (Cal) was one of the Bears’ two seventh-round selections, and while he may have already hit his ceiling as a football player, his 46 starts and consistent production as a Golden Bear will serve him well in an NFL training camp. He’s an experienced leader on and off the field, but with Brisker, Cruikshank, and Houston-Carson ahead of him on the depth chart, he’ll need to dazzle on special teams to earn a job.

Let’s not forget the punter. It’s a lonely and thankless position, and Trenton Gill (NC State) won’t receive much (if any) fanfare as a Bears seventh-round pick. But of all the rookies selected on day three, he has the best chance to be a starter in week one.

Ryan Poles was impressive in NFL draft debut

Poles deserves credit for how he managed his first NFL draft. It’s OK that the Bears didn’t end draft weekend with a “wow” pick. And it’s OK that Poles didn’t give in to pressure and draft a receiver who may have ranked lower on his draft board than Gordon and Brisker. In fact, it’s good that he didn’t. Poles stuck to his convictions and drafted the best available players, as determined by his team of evaluators. It was an encouraging performance not just because of the number of players he selected but also because of how he went about his business.

The Bears won’t receive high marks for this draft class. The national pundits will knock Poles for failing to add a wide receiver like George Pickens or Alec Pierce. But once we get to training camp, the competition this draft class will create will breed the best possible version of the 2022 Bears, not to mention as many as three or four starters.

I’m giving Poles and the Bears a solid “B” for the 2022 NFL Draft. It’s a draft class that improves the starting defense, creates competition and depth at the offensive line, and adds a weapon for an offense in desperate need of one. It’ll take a few seasons before we can reasonably pass judgment on Poles’ decisions, but it’s fair to call it a success for now.