The reactions that immediately follow the NFL Draft are incredible. Players who profile as very good prospects are often criticized as bad picks if they don’t fit a national narrative or expectation. For the Chicago Bears’ 2022 NFL Draft, the selection of Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker was initially viewed as a questionable decision by General Manager Ryan Poles.
Now that a week has gone by, the narrative is shifting. It’s shifted so much that Brisker is now viewed as one of this year’s biggest steals.
Brisker entered draft weekend as a player who could hear his name called toward the end of the first round. He slid into Day 2, where the Bears landed him at No. 48 overall. He was named the Bears’ best value pick by Bleacher Report.
“The 23-year-old can cover wideouts with ease thanks to his elite athleticism, strong awareness and instincts, great ball-tracking ability and quick closing burst.
“Brisker was projected as a Day 1 pick due to these traits, but ended up falling into Day 2, a spot where the Bears capitalized. They can now pencil him in as a starter for the foreseeable future, an immense value for a reasonably low cost.”