The Chicago Bears break Ryan Pace’s habit in full 2022 NFL mock draft

Chicago Bears: Round 2, Pick No. 45 (via BAL)

Arguably the biggest need for the 2022 Bears roster is wide receiver. The team has Darnell Mooney and Dazz Newsome currently signed for the year. Allen Robinson is set to hit free agency again, and there’s a slim chance he’ll be back in Chicago. If the team wants to find Fields some more weapons, the draft is where they should go.

The target here was Purdue receiver David Bell, but with him being taken early in the simulator, the team traded back and landed Georgia receiver George Pickens.

Pickens is an exciting prospect that has some injury concerns. An ACL tear in March of 2021 held him out of the majority of the season. He still managed to make the most of the games he played in. His explosive speed was displayed during the college football playoffs, where he snagged a 52-yard catch, the longest of his season.

His physical traits make him an ideal candidate as an outside receiver in the NFL. Combining that with his great route-running ability and the Bears could have an absolute star of a player.