Post-Scouting Combine Chicago Bears 2022 Mock Draft

The latest Chicago Bears 2022 mock draft arrived with more clarity than ever before. Both the Senior Bowl and scouting combine are in the rearview mirror now. Only pro days remain. That means NFL teams should have a clear idea of where their draft boards are going to settle within the next month. GM Ryan Poles should know how things will likely fall and what sort of plan he can formulate. Having no 1st round pick makes it difficult to know which way the board will fall. In such cases, it becomes likely that a team will lean on the strengths of the draft class. Which positions offer the most depth? The good news for Chicago is that several such positions have to be ones of need. As a result, their latest mock comes away with some quality talents on both sides of the ball.

Chicago Bears 2022 mock draft comes with a sharper focus

Trade: Ravens send 45th pick, 4th and 7th rounders to Bears for 39th pick

2nd Round (via BAL) - Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa

Poles said his primary goal is to fix the offensive line from the start. It needs more nastiness. More attitude. Smith brings loads of both. He seemed to relish mixing it up with defenders on every snap, never afraid to finish blocks and give a little extra. The guy was a tone-setter. This helped mask his considerable athletic traits, good size, and long arms. He needs to clean up his pass protection technique, but the young man has all the attributes of a future left tackle in the NFL.

3rd Round - Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma

The Matt Eberflus defense is a classic 4-3 alignment. Such a system has certain requirements to excel. Few are bigger than a three-technique defensive tackle that can rush the passer. Right now, the Bears don't have one. Winfrey demonstrated the ability to become that during his time at Oklahoma. Despite playing nose tackle for much of 2021, he still had 5.5 sacks. His excellent get-off at the snap, along with a hot motor and 35-inch arms, could make for a lethal combination in the right hands.

4th Round (via BAL) - Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State

Said to be an elite teammate and character off the field, Shakir combines that with impressive versatility on it. He had 1,117 yards receiving and 130 rushing last season. He also averaged a healthy 12.8 yards on nine punt returns. The young man can be dangerous with the ball in his hands. His route-running is also sharp and there is nothing less than 100% commitment to it. He might not be the biggest or fastest in this draft, but he is the type that almost always impacts the NFL.

5th Round (via HOU) - Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State

Coming from a smaller school can make it difficult for certain prospects to stand out in a crowd during the draft. McCollum did everything necessary to separate himself. He had 13 interceptions in college and followed that up with a terrific workout at the scouting combine. He is 6'2 with 4.33 speed and ball production. While it may take some time to adjust against NFL competition, his physical upside is vast.

5th Round - Zach Tom, C, Wake Forest

One could argue that Tom played the final two years of his college run at WF out of position. He was their left tackle at that time despite some apparent size and length limitations. Even so, he was still one of the best pass protectors in the entire country. Now that he is expected to shift back to his original spot at center, the belief is he'll be far better off. His intelligence makes him a great fit for the position, and he has the athletic profile to function well in a zone-blocking scheme.

6th Round - Romeo Doubs, WR, Nevada

There was no way this Chicago Bears 2022 mock draft was going to end without Poles landing a receiver with speed. Doubs was the favorite target of strong-armed Carson Strong at Nevada, averaging a healthy 14.8 yards per catch for his entire college career. His competitiveness shows every time the ball is thrown in his vicinity. He'll also be an immediate help on special teams. In order to ascend, he must expand his route-running.

6th Round (via BAL) - Percy Butler, S, Louisiana

Players taken this late in the draft must offer one of two things. Either they must be good on special teams or offer high athletic potential that a coaching staff can mold. It just so happens that Butler provides both. He was a special teams ace at Louisiana and proved at the combine with his 4.36 in the 40-yard dash that he's a great athlete too. Ball production is also there, but he needs to improve his tackling and eye discipline.