Now that the 2022 NFL Draft is over, we can analyze the moves general manager Ryan Poles made. This is what we’ve learned.
The 2022 NFL Draft is now a few days over. All the dust has settled and we can take a closer look at what Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles did. Let’s take a look at the moves and what we learned over the past weekend’s activities.
-
Poles turned the Chicago Bears’ secondary from a weakness to a strength.
The Bears’ secondary was bad last season. Whenever there was a moment with the game on the line that unit did something to cause a defeat. Throughout the season, we saw big plays go against them. Additionally, there were so many missed tackles.
Things should change now. Instead of trading one or both of Chicago’s second round picks, Poles decided to use them to select defensive backs. He drafted cornerback Kyler Gordon with the 39th pick and Jaquan Brisker with the 48th pick.
Additionally, Poles picked up Elijah Hicks in the seventh round. Hicks could be a contributor in the secondary as well.
Gordon will make life easier for the Bears’ CB1, Jaylon Johnson. Last season, opposing quarterbacks didn’t target him. Why would they go after a rising young star when they could go after the struggling corners?
Eddie Jackson is another winner. Ever since Adrian Amos left for Green Bay Jackson hasn’t been the same. His play steadily went down since he and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Tashaun Gipson didn’t jell. Now, with a young, athletic, and physical strong safety in Brisker, Jackson can mesh better with him.
Hicks might not be a starter but he could end up being a great backup. He can line up at free or strong safety. With Deon Bush, a good backup himself, now in Kansas City with the Chiefs, the Bears need dependable backups.
-
The wide receiver spot still needs addressing
Poles went from having only six picks in the draft to finishing with 11. With all those picks, however, he only selected one wide receiver. That prospect was Velus Jones.
Picking Jones at 71 might have been a reach for Poles. Most analysts graded him as a fourth or fifth-round pick. Additionally, he could have gone with more established talents like Skyy Moore or Geroge Pickens with his second-round pick.
-
Ep 100: Divisional Round Preview: Who Is Headed To Championship Sunday?
by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2023 at 12:19 pm
Jones seems like a one-trick pony. His speed is what makes him attractive. He is a big play waiting to happen when he has the ball in his hands. For that reason, he’ll be electric for the Bears, but more so on special teams as a returner than as a receiver.
Jones runs a limited route tree. Basically, he does the screen and go routes and not much else. In his six seasons in college football, his best was in 2021 when he had 807 receiving yards. You’d expect more from a receiver with all that speed.
The Bears are still where they were when the draft started. They still have a need at wide receiver. Perhaps one of the undrafted rookie free agents help but it seems more likely that Poles has to go out and find veteran help.
-
Poles stayed true to his word by drafting a ton of offensive linemen
Poles made it a point to say that he was disappointed with how the Chicago Bears offensive line played in 2021. He basically called the unit soft. He wanted to make the unit a priority and infuse it with young, athletic players. He also wanted some nastiness on the unit.
You wanted offensive linemen? Well, Poles got you offensive linemen. With his 11 picks, he selected four offensive linemen.
How quickly these linemen get on the field and contribute is the question. Again, we’re going with the understanding that the 2022 season will be another bad one. Looking at the roster you don’t see a contender. As a result, Poles could wait a couple of seasons for some of these linemen to refine their game.
Around FPC
NFL RUMORS: Deebo Samuel Rumors: Does The Wideout Want Out Of San Francisco?
NFL NEWS: Chicago Bears 2022 NFL Draft: Poles Wheels And Deals
NFL DRAFT: Giants Draft Grades For All Eleven Picks
FANTASY FOOTBALL: Fantasy Football: Rookie Running Back Rankings Post-NFL Draft
NHL: Top Five 2022 Stanley Cup Playoff Storylines
PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 42: Deebo Samuel Requests Trade; Possible Landing Spots
The one player who might be ready to see some time as a reserve this season is Braxton Jones. He was All-Big Sky Conference third team in 2019. Then he made the first team in the next two seasons.
Jones himself needs to refine his game but he is more advanced than the other linemen.
-
Poles believes in increasing competition to raise the level of play
Again, Poles went from six picks when the draft started to 11 when it finished. Additionally, he signed 36 undrafted players. He believes in having a competition to increase the level of play.
The more players you have to play at a position the harder they’ll play to win a spot on the roster. That is especially true on a team like the Bears, where the expectations aren’t so high. Some players will make the team who might not necessarily play on many others.
The plan here is to go all out in 2023. With nearly $120 million (likely to be higher when the new year begins) in cap space, and having a high pick (and hopefully more than the six they currently have), the Bears should have a competitive team next season. If some of these prospects shore up their game in 2022 and are ready to make a jump in 2023, then Poles and the Chicago Bears will have a jump up and really reverse their fortune.
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 139: Hall of Fame President Jim Porter Joins To Discuss His First 15 Monthsby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 9:55 pm
Hall of Fame President Jim Porter joins Clark and Ira for a fourth time to […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
George Carmi hosts Deuce, DH, and DT as they discuss the latest topics of […]
-
Ep. 129: Fair Market Valueby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 12:00 am
Biggs and Ryan Holmes discuss: Raiders Rebuild NFL Draft Worry Assistant […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
1/20 - Buccaneers Fire Byron Leftwich, NFL Divisional Round Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 20, 2023 at 10:19 am
Ian and John discuss the firing of Byron Leftwich and whether or not it […]
-
1/19 - Brady/Gronk Reunion, Aaron Rodgers, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 10:14 am
Ian and John discuss the potential of Brady and Ground teaming up in 2023, […]
-
1/17 - Cowboys Crush Bucs, Tom Brady, NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 17, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Ian and John react to the Cowboys dominating victory over the Buccaneers […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 209 "Vince is Back"by Boot 2 The Face on January 11, 2023 at 2:34 am
Rucker and EJ are back talking NFL playoffs, Wrestle Kingdom and the […]
-
Ep. 84: NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:00 am
-
Ep. 83: Belmont Head Coach Casey Alexander Interviewby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
The Scout & The Route: Bengals at Chiefsby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 4:00 am
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
-
The Scout & The Route: 49ers at Eaglesby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 1:00 am
-
Full Press MMA - Thursday, January 26thby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 12:00 am
-
Pick & Rollout: Arizona State at Washingtonby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Spurs at Clippersby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Arizona at Washington Stateby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 9:15 pm
-
Mavs at Sunsby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm
The rebuild will take time because of the mess Pace left the team in with his bad drafts and free agent signings!