The Chicago Bears fill multiple holes in this 2022 seven-round mock draft
By Ryan Olson
In less than a week, the Chicago Bears will have completed their season. Going into the offseason of 2022 the Bears have more holes than ever to fill, yet they are in one of the most flexible and opportune positions they’ve been in since the Matt Nagy era in particular. The Bears have a chance to restock with youth all while crossing off some needs in the process in the 2022 NFL Draft.
To understand the conditions the Chicago Bears are in, going into the 2022 draft, I have taken the liberties of assuming the team has done the following in the offseason.
- Signed a priority wide receiver in free agency
- Allen Robinson has walked in free agency
- James Daniels has been resigned
- Danny Trevathan has been cut
- Signed a starting center
Disclaimer: The mock draft was done on The Draft Network
Chicago Bears Second-Round Pick: George Pickens, WR – Georgia
George Pickens is one of if not my favorite wide receivers in the draft. Pickens stands in at 6’3″ with the frame to be a perimeter outside wide receiver at the higher level. Despite his lengthy frame, Pickens contains a full route tree that will follow him into the NFL.
Pickens’ best quality is his big-play ability because of his very elite tracking skills on deep balls and his ability to high-point balls while making contested catches. Pickens in addition to having elite ball skills has yards after the catch potential because of the physicality he adds to his 6’3 frame. It’s safe to say that Pickens will always be a tough tackle in open space and will be a great asset to Justin Fields who has gotten very minimal help from his wide receivers after the catch in his rookie season.
George Pickens reminds me of my pre-draft profile on Justin Jefferson back when he was in college, because of the sense that Pickens is a true jack-of-all-trades and master of none. Not to say that Pickens will have the amazing career that Justin Jefferson is on track to have, but like Jefferson, Pickens has no true weaknesses to his game.
Pickens would benefit as the wide receiver two or three on the depth charts come his rookie year. His role can be focussed on his development, as opposed to getting pure production as a rookie. I think Pickens would be the best fit next to a receiving core that contains Odell Beckham, and Darnell Mooney. Beckham is a free agent this offseason and is going to be looking for a long-term home to get his career back on track to what it used to be.