2022 NFL Draft: Grading the Bears’ pick of Washington CB Kyler Gordon

The Chicago Bears selected Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Gordon was the Bears’ first draft selection, whom many valued as a fringe-first-round pick.

The Bears’ list of needs entering the NFL Draft was long. And while wide receiver was the preferred target within the fan base, adding a starting cornerback like Gordon makes sense. He’ll join Jaylon Johnson in the starting lineup, and when combined with veteran Tavon Young, Chicago’s top three cornerbacks suddenly have a chance to hold up against the NFC’s better passing attacks.

Here’s what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote of Gordon’s game ahead of the NFL Draft:

“Cornerback who comes with an elite, high-performance engine but a GPS still in the process of loading. Gordon’s dynamic athletic qualities will show up in testing, but more importantly, they are all over his tape. His blend of play strength and explosive burst affects the passing game from press, off-man and zone coverages. He plays with an alpha demeanor and hitting is definitely part of his overall package. Gordon lacks polish and needs to play with better route recognition and anticipation, but if those elements click, his ball production could be near the top of the league as one of the top playmakers in the game.”

With the advancement of NFL passing attacks and the influx of talent at wide receiver, smart teams know they have to counter with quality players in the secondary. Gordon fits that description.

Gordon finished the 2021 season with 45 tackles and two interceptions. They were the only two interceptions of his career, so the lack of production is a concern, especially for a Bears defense that is placing emphasis on turnovers in 2022.

Overall, the Bears earn a solid “B” for this selection. With their big need in the secondary taken care of, Poles should turn his attention to the offense with his next pick (No. 48 overall).