Chicago Bears find a starting-caliber left tackle in this 2022 NFL mock draft
With their final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears go back to defense
This mock draft was heavy on the offensive side of the football, but it should be noted that with Matt Eberflus as the head coach, defense may creep into this draft more often than fans would like. I too struggle to not lean towards offensive players as my focus if I were the Bears general manager would be building around Justin Fields. That said, Eberflus is in need of a three-technique defensive tackle, a new safety, a couple of corners and some depth at linebacker.
Scouting Report. S. 186. player. 57. Pick Analysis. Middle Tennessee. ReedBlankenship
Round 6, Pick 186 – Reed Blankenship, S – Middle Tennessee
With their final pick in the 2022 NFL (mock) Draft, the Chicago Bears select Reed Blankenship, safety out of Middle Tennessee. Blankenship has shown a knack for getting the football. He has nine interceptions over his four years at Middle Tennessee. He also has four fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. At 6’1″ and 200 pounds, Blaneship brings some nice size to the safety position.
Blankenship projects as a strong safety in the NFL. He is a thumper who likes to make big hits on his opponents. He is coming off his best season with 110 combined tackles (75 solos) and 10 tackles for loss. In his five years at Middle Tennessee, Blankenship has 26.5 tackles for loss and averages 53 solo tackles per year. He is likely to make the team as a special teams tackler, but makes for a solid developmental player at safety or even nickel too.
Summary of Picks:
- 47 – George Pickens, WR – Georgia
- 48 – Christian Watson, WR – North Dakota State
- 75 – Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT – Ohio State
- 115 – Cameron Jurgens, OC – Nebraska
- 131 – Rasheed Walker, OT – Penn State
- 150 – Akayleb Evans, CB – Missouri
- 169 – Kyle Philips, WR – UCLA
- 186 – Reed Blankenship, S – Middle Tennessee
- 2023 4th-Round Pick – Washington
- 2023 5th-Round Pick – Indianapolis