The Chicago Bears load up on offense in 2022 NFL Mock Draft
By Joseph Herff
Chicago Bears Round 5, Pick No. 145 via DEN
The question remains essentially every offseason: who will play alongside Eddie Jackson? If the Bears want a safety to develop who could possibly get solid playing time early on, Tycen Anderson is their guy. A three-year starter at Toledo, Anderson has incredible size, length, and speed that pops on tape. The Relative Athletic Score backs this up as he scored a 9.69 which ranks 24th out of 778 safeties who have tested at the Combine since 1987.
Anderson at the very least is a developmental prospect that could become a long-term starter in the NFL. He has rough ball skills, but he is a good fit to develop into a zone-heavy scheme. At the least, he’s a special teams ace for the Bears and will be an immediate impact on Day 1.
Chicago Bears Round 5, Pick No. 148
Doubled up with back-to-back picks for defensive backs. Zyon McCollum is another athletic freak who comes in at 6′ 2″ and ran a 4.33 40 yard dash. Another FCS stud who not only has the traits but additionally has incredible instincts and a knack for finding the ball. He finished his college football career with 13 interceptions and six forced fumbles.
McCollum, like Anderson, has the ability to not only potentially be a Day 1 impact as a starter, but at the very least, he too can be a force on special teams. The second cornerback spot is up for grabs between Kindle Vildor and Thomas Graham Jr.