Whether the 2022 NFL draft was a success for Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles largely depends on who you ask. But for Bears fans who want the team to build through the offensive line and a strong defense, this year’s 11-player draft class was great.
It wasn’t so great for a few veterans on the roster who were hoping to line up as a starter in 2022. Here’s how the Bears’ 2022 NFL Draf impacts Chicago’s starting lineup this year.
Cornerback
Second-round pick Kyler Gordon is going to start. There’s no doubt about that. Thomas Graham Jr. was a fantastic find in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft, and he has a bright future as part of the Bears’ defense. But his chances of starting in his second season have been all but erased with Gordon in place. The Bears’ defense now boasts two legitimate shut-down cornerbacks (Gordon and Jaylon Johnson) in a league highlighted by high-flying passing offenses. That’s a big advantage for Head Coach Matt Eberflus’ defense entering the 2022 season.
