The Chicago Bears revamp the offense in this 2022 NFL mock draft
The Chicago Bears select wide receiver, Calvin Austin, III – Memphis
The offensive line and wide receiver are a big hole for the Chicago Bears this offseason. With this draft, the team hopefully has a new starting center in Alec Lindstrom. However, free agency would need to play a major factor in rebuilding the offensive line prior to this 2022 NFL mock draft. I am not one to draft for need, but if the Chicago Bears don’t land some starting-caliber free agents prior to the draft, then this draft would need to go very differently.
That said, if they do land some big-time free agent offensive linemen, then this draft would be excellent paired with one mid-tier wide receiver free agent signing. This is why Ryan Poles goes back to the wide receiver spot and selects Calvin Austin, III out of Memphis.
I was all for bringing in Anthony Miller and loved him as a prospect. He didn’t disappoint completely, but obviously, he didn’t live up to expectations or even his own ego either. Austin is not projected to go before the mid-to-late part of the third round at this point, and for the Bears’ sake, let’s hope he doesn’t drive his draft stock up any. Landing Austin here in the fifth to pair with Darnell Mooney and the Treylon Burks pick would be a very solid start to a new wide receiver group.
Austin is only 5’9″, but don’t let his size confuse you, he can play football with the best of them. He has great hands, runs routes well, and can be used all over the field. He’s not going to be a “go up and get em” type of player, he doesn’t have that physicality to him. However, he does a solid job separating by switching up his speeds and acceleration. He’s a twitchy receiver who can be counted on for a few explosive plays per game — something the Bears need more of.