Day 3 sleepers the Chicago Bears can target in the 2022 NFL Draft
The Chicago Bears cornerback group could use more competition
While the Tavon Young signing will be great depth in the cornerback room, the Chicago Bears need more depth and some guys they can develop to play alongside Jaylon Johnson for several seasons.
Clemson cornerback, Mario Goodrich is someone to look out for early into Day 3. Goodrich is 6’0″ and is 186 pounds — making him the ideal size to be an outside corner in the NFL. He is a player who is aware of where the first down marker is. He plays a very physical game on the outside, getting good jams against receivers at the line of scrimmage.
His physical game also translates to the run game, as he is a great tackler who hits hard for a guy his size. Goodrich played wide receiver in high school. This has helped him develop great hands and helps him mirror receivers and predict their next moves in a way most corners can’t. He is a playmaker when he gets the ball in his hands, stemming from his high school days as a receiver.
Goodrich has great instincts and would fit in the Bears’ 4-3 scheme as a zone corner. He doesn’t have top-level speed, running a 4.52 40. Due to his lack of elite speed, he needs help downfield, and will struggle covering elite deep threats in the NFL. He did not come on as a great player until this past season, as he was an average ACC corner in both 2019 and 2020.
Goodrich has some great instincts and skills to be a good NFL player, and would fit better in today’s NFL as a free safety rather than a corner. Look for Goodrich’s name to be called in the fourth round.
Tariq Castro-Fields out of Penn State is a guy the Chicago Bears can get very deep into the draft this year. He is 6’0″ and 194 pounds — giving him good size to be an outside corner. He gives maximum effort in the run game, as he attacks receivers at the point of contact and doesn’t back down in run support. He is a very tough-minded player who has good speed and balance, allowing him to change directions fluidly while on the move.
He is a good zone corner with great speed (4.38 40), allowing him to keep up with fast receivers downfield. Castro-Fields sometimes gives up big plays trying to make the big play himself and has shaky awareness of the game situation. He is inconsistent getting off of blocks, especially when his technique gets sloppy. Castro-Fields shows some promise but is really raw. The Bears can pick him up in the seventh or as an undrafted free agent.
The Chicago Bears need to target receivers, offensive line, and the secondary in next week’s NFL draft, and these are some guys to keep an eye on for the Bears to select on day three.