Which rookie will make the biggest impact for the Chicago Bears in 2022?

The Chicago Bears’ 2022 rookie class includes 11 draft picks and three players projected to start or play a significant role as soon as Week 1.

Second-round picks cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker will join Jaylon Johnson and Eddie Jackson as starters in the secondary, while third-round pick receiver Velus Jones Jr. is among the most gifted skill players on offense. All three will be on the field a lot this fall.

The cluster of day-three picks (including four offensive linemen) should have some players emerge with reps in 2022. But which rookie will make the biggest impact this year?

Best Bet: Velus Jones Jr.

It may seem odd that a 25-year-old rookie who took six years at the college level to develop into a viable prospect is the best bet to make the most significant impact for the Bears this year. But a glance at Chicago’s depth chart offers an obvious explanation.

Jones’ path to meaningful reps is clear. Only receiver Darnell Mooney is definitively more important than Jones in the Bears’ 2022 passing offense, partly due to Jones’s athletic upside and Chicago’s lack of established weapons.

There’s a chance Jones could become the most productive rookie receiver the Chicago Bears ever had, which will make the army of critics panic in search of a new reason to be negative.

Strong Bet: Kyler Gordon

Gordon’s expected impact in 2022 is obvious. He’s the most talented cornerback on the Bears’ roster, including Jaylon Johnson, who’s already established himself as one of the top defensive backs in the NFC.

Gordon offers more ball skills than Johnson, however, and it’s why he’s likely to produce more interceptions as a rookie than Johnson’s managed through his first two years in the league — Johnson has one career interception.

Defensive backs who create turnovers are invaluable. And it’s because of that, that Gordon can become a cornerstone piece of the Bears’ rebuild in 2022.

Good Bet: Jaquan Brisker

Yes, this list is chalk right now. The first three picks of the Bears’ 2022 draft are the three most-likely rookies to have an impact this year.

Brisker is a strong candidate to have the most Sportscenter moments in 2022, he’s a physical hitter who doesn’t shy away from contact. Add Brisker’s above-average ball skills to that equation, and the outcome is likely to be a player who has at least one highlight every game.

Eddie Jackson’s presence may lower Brisker’s ceiling, however. There’s only one football to go around, and Jackson has a proven track record of being a true game-changer when he’s playing at his best. He’s still that guy for the Chicago Bears in 2022 until proven otherwise.

Don’t Be Shocked: Zachary Thomas

I’m a big fan of Thomas’ game. He was a quality offensive tackle for San Diego State who has the temperament needed to be a viable option at right guard for the Bears in 2022. Thomas lined up at guard during rookie minicamp, and without much veteran competition on the roster, he could be the favorite to begin the season as a first-teamer.

The Bears could decide to add a veteran free agent between now and training camp. Thomas will slide into a valuable role as a versatile backup if they do. And even if that’s how his rookie season plays out, he’ll be a quality pick by general manager Ryan Poles in 2022.

All Upside: Dominique Robinson

Robinson has to be on this list because of the upside he offers as a situational pass rusher. The wide receiver-turned-edge rusher possesses the physical make-up and athletic profile to develop into a quality producer soon. Robinson isn’t mentioned as a rookie who will make a significant impact in 2022 because of how raw he is, but great athletes usually find their way onto the field.

If Robinson gets hot early in training camp, he’ll become a big part of the Chicago Bears’ rotation of pass rushers. Robert Quinn and Trevis Gipson should be the primary tandem, with free-agent signing Al-Quadin Muhammad being in that mix. Robinson should slide in as the fourth guy in that pecking order, which means he’ll get his fair share of looks as a rookie.