Grading Chicago Bears 2022 draft class after 10 games into year two

Chicago Bears Round 7: Ja’Tyre Carter

Ja’Tyre Carter has played a surprising amount. He started in week 18 last year just to get a look and made the roster after a strong preseason. Still, injuries to Teven Jenkins, Lucas Patrick, and Nate Davis had them scrambling, and they turned to Carter.

Carter started two games and has filled in for three games. Against Minnesota, he came off the bench and played 56 snaps. Overall, he has 175 snaps, with 159 at right guard, 11 at left guard, and five at right tackle. 

He has primarily struggled. He had moments against the Vikings, but his starts against Tampa Bay and Kansas City held the offense back. Those are tough fronts, but it is hard to see a future beyond depth, and he may not even be reliable there without a step forward next year. 

For a seventh-round pick, getting two starts is close to a win, though. 

Ja’Tyre Carter Grade: C-

Chicago Bears Round 7: Elijah Hicks

Elijah Hicks has had to play a lot as well. Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker have missed serious time. It has caused Hicks to get 479 defensive snaps over six starts and nine in-game appearances on defense. Between missed coverage assignments and missed tackles, he has been the weakest point of the Bears defense. 

With Jaquan Brisker and Eddie Jackson healthy, he sat for the first time since week one. He has been a relied-on asset on special teams, and that continued on Thursday against Carolina. 

All things considered, he did about what you would expect a seventh-rounder to do in his first time getting actual work. The best case for Hicks would be a career like DeAndre Houston-Carson, where he gets on the field minimally in dime roles but then has a long career due to special teams. 

Elijah Hicks Grade: C+ 

Chicago Bears Round 7: Trenton Gill 

Trenton Gill has not been very good this year. Still, a seventh round pick for a punter can bring that type of success. Sticking for two years is fine, but he needs to improve. 

Trenton Gill Grade: C-