2022 NFL Draft: Grading the Bears’ pick of Ja’Tyre Carter, iOL, Southern

The Chicago Bears selected Southern guard Ja’Tyre Carter in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft. General Manager Ryan Poles is on a mission to revamp the team’s offensive line, as Carter makes it four draft picks allocated to the position group this year.

Carter joins Braxton Jones (OT, Southern Utah), Zachary Thomas (iOL, San Diego State), and Doug Kramer (C, Illinois) as day-three selections committed t the offensive line.

Carter (6-foot-3, 313 pounds) started 39 games during his career at Southern, primarily lining up at left tackle. Like Thomas, he was listed as a guard by the Bears when his pick was announced.

Here’s what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote about Carter in advance of the NFL Draft:

“Offensive line prospect with the frame, strength and grit to make a go of it moving from tackle to guard. Carter displays some technical savvy in certain areas, but needs much more work to get to where he needs to go. He lacks explosiveness and tends to lean on his ability to maul as a run blocker. If he can get his hands and pad level locked in, he’ll have a shot to become an NFL backup.”

At worst, Carter will compete for a practice squad or backup spot this summer. At best, he’ll find himself in the right guard competition during the preseason. I’m not convinced he has starting ability, and this is another underwhelming selection worthy of a C+ grade.

It should be noted that while players like Carter, individually, aren’t exciting additions to the team, Poles is doing the right thing by adding numbers to the offensive line. There’s a better chance a team will find a quality starter by having multiple prospects in camp and competing for a job. Whether it’s Miller, Thomas, Kramer, or Carter, someone will emerge as a factor on the Bears’ offensive line.