A Chicago Bears mock draft that follows recent 2022 NFL Draft rumors

The Chicago Bears bring in another big man to help build this new offensive line

With the 61st-overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select Darian Kinnard out of Kentucky. Kinnard played tackle but projects as an interior lineman. The Chicago Bears already took a tackle with their previous pick, but now turn to Kinnard with their next.

Kinnard has the ability to play in any run-game scheme. He should do just fine in the outside-zone scheme that the Chicago Bears are looking to deploy this season. He has the ability to push to start as a rookie. He has great power for the run game, but also has the finesse and athleticism that allows him to fit zone schemes.

Kinnard would fit well with the mean and nasty that Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus are looking for in an offensive lineman too. He does a good job of pushing defenders off their spots and can slide off to second-level defenders when called on as well.

What he needs to work on and I think moving to the inside will help in this area, is his pass blocking. Kinnard was not asked to pass block consistently in Kentucky. Moving inside will help him in this area because he will see fewer speed rushers than he would on the outside. That’s the area Kinnard seemed to struggle with the most — speed rushers. That said, he held his own in this area too, it just wasn’t consistent enough to know for sure his pass blocking skills will translate immediately to the NFL level. Grabbing him here at 61 overall is a great value though.