Chicago Bears 2022 Mock Draft: Final Mock of the Season

The 2022 NFL Draft is almost upon us. Though the Chicago Bears don’t pick until the second day, they hope this draft starts the turnaround we all are desperate to see.

Well, the 2022 NFL Draft is nearly here. Starting on Thursday, the lives of many prospects will change as they become professionals. Teams hope that their franchises also change in the process. Some want to maintain their dominance on the field while others, like the Chicago Bears, hope to finally turn their fortunes around and become contenders.

General manager Ryan Poles gets to run his first draft show. He did a great job helping the Kansas City Chiefs turn out great drafts and become consistent Super Bowl contenders. Now he wants to do the same in Chicago making the big choices.

The fans hoped that free agency would yield at least one or two impact players. Alas, that wasn’t the case. Poles went with the cost-effective deals, opting to wait for next year. In 2023, the Bears have plenty of salary cap space to make a dent in the free agency market.

Poles also wants to build the Bears roster through the draft. He hopes to select prospects who become the building blocks of success in Chicago. We all hope for that.

Here is my final Chicago Bears mock draft for the 2022 season.

Round 2, #39 Overall — Jalen Pitre, CB, Baylor

While many keep talking about the Chicago Bears needing desperate help at offensive line and wide receiver, the cornerback position is another spot that needs help. The Bears have a bunch of slot corners (Kindle Vildor, Duke Shelley, Tavon Young), they need an outside corner to complement Jaylon Johnson. For the second time in three years, the Bears pick up a cornerback in the second round. They select Jalen Pitre.

Poles talks about changing the Bears’ culture. He wants tougher players who play hard all the time. Pitre is a perfect example of that. His motor is on high all the time. He not only was an impact player on the field for the Baylor Bears but also in the locker room.

Pitre has a nose for the football. In his last two seasons, he had 4 interceptions (2 pick-sixes), 9 passes defended, 3 fumble recoveries, and 6 sacks. The Bears have had problems forcing turnovers in the past three seasons.

The sack number is interesting because it helps the defense. Pitre played the “Star” position. That is a hybrid CB/LB. Defensive coordinator Alan Williams can move him around so he gets favorable matchups.

Pitre was a Bear in college and he’ll do well remaining one in the NFL.

Round 2, #48 Overall — Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State

Christian Watson gives Poles another of the type of player he covets. He is a tough, competitive wide receiver. Additionally, he is all about team play. He’ll do whatever it takes for the team to succeed.

Also, Watson gives quarterback Justin Fields a great target. He has a great combination of size and speed. He measures in at 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds and ran a 4.36-40 at the NFL Combine. He also had a 38.5 vertical and a 136 broad jump. That should make Fields salivate to work with him.

Watson has the speed to create separation from the snap. Separation was a problem for Bears receivers over the past few seasons. Not only can he just blow past defenders, but he is also tough and can handle press coverage. Furthermore, he has great footwork on his routes to get away from defenders.

The Chicago Bears receiving corps lacked playmakers. Watson gives them one.

Round 3, #71 Overall —  Jamaree Salyer, OL, Georgia

Here Poles gets help for the offensive line. He adds a tough lineman in Jamaree Salyer who also adds flexibility. He played every position on the line with the Georgia Bulldogs. He even played two positions during the National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

We need to monitor what head coach Matt Eberflus is doing with the line. Cody Whitehair and Lucas Patrick are penciled in at left guard and center, respectively. Other than that, things are as clear as mud. He switched Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom to see if that change could work. Additionally, there is no one yet set to replace James Daniels at right guard. Daniels left via free agency.

Depending on how the shuffling goes, Salyer can end up at left tackle or even right guard. Having the experience playing all positions helps his cause.

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At 6-foot-3, 321 pounds Salyer is a big body with NFL strength. It will be difficult getting around him. That certainly helps Fields in his development.

Round 5, #148 Overall — Tyquan Thornton, WR, Baylor

Here Fields gets more help. Speed kills, and Poles and the Chicago Bears offense want to see bodies lying all over the field. After adding the speedy Watson, they add a speedier Tyquan Thornton.

Thornton opened eyes at the Combine when he ran a 4.28-40. At 6-foot-2 he has an excellent catch radius.

Thornton also has great footwork which helps him create separation. He is a great deep target, allowing more space for the other receivers underneath.

At 182 pounds Thornton is skinny. If he can somehow bulk up a little he’ll be a steal for the Bears. Chicago met with him twice so there might be a high interest in selecting him at the right spot.

Round 5, #150 Overall — Sterling Weatherford, S, Miami (OH)

Poles wanted to have tough, competitive players with high motors, and in this mock he gets them. The next one is Sterling Weatherford of Miami (OH).

Weatherford could be a great under-the-radar selection. At 6-foot-4, 230 pounds he has a plus body for the position. His length helps him in coverage. He gets his long arms in and either breaks up the pass or gets the interception. Additionally, he has the body to effectively take on tight ends or bigger slot receivers.

While Weatherford does well in coverage, his best work comes against the run. He is a downhill player and he quickly covers ground to shut off running lanes.

At Miami, Weatherford was used in a number of different alignments. He can effectively play linebacker, giving the defense added flexibility.

Now we get to his tackling ability. He is an excellent tackler and uses great technique. He won’t lunge in and just try to blow the ball carrier up. He takes a measured approach and waits for him to move so he can size him up and make the tackle. He’ll rarely be out of place and will make some big-time hits. He’ll complement Eddie Jackson well and should become a fan favorite quickly.

Round 6, #186 Overall — Matt Araiza, P, San Diego State

The search for tough, competitive players continues to the punter. The Bears let Pat O’Donnell walk in free agency. They signed Ryan Winslow but he isn’t the answer. The Bears are the sixth team he’s played for since 2019. Also, during that time he only played in four games.

Matt Araiza will be an impact punter. The man has a booming leg and can turn the field on a dime. Sometimes it seems as if he wants the offense to have him punt from his own one-yard line so he can try to get it to the opponent’s one.

Araiza earned his nickname “Punt God.” In his three seasons with the Aztecs, he averaged an amazing 51.1 yards per punt. That average would have led the NFL in at least the last 10 seasons. In that time, only three times has a punter averaged over 50 yards. None reached 51.

With the team still having a lack of talent on offense, punting will be important. If they can turn field position consistently then that will help the defense. Araiza has that ability.

Furthermore, Araiza’s big leg could help Cairo Santos. Santos is a very accurate kicker but he doesn’t exactly have a strong leg. In college, Araiza also did kickoffs. He can kick the ball out of the end zone, limiting the runs kickoff returners could make.

If the Bears have a chance to select Araiza they should run as fast as possible to the podium and get him.