As we approach Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles’ first NFL draft, there is a lot of buzz about which players would fit well in Chicago as they rebuild.
With six picks in this year’s draft, the Bears cannot afford to mess around. Building the offensive line and adding weapons for Justin Fields is a top priority, but there are also holes on defense at cornerback, linebacker and defensive line.
Let’s take a look at four things Poles and the Bears should not do in the 2022 NFL draft.
DON’T: Trade up and waste draft capital
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
The Bears currently have just six draft selections, which means they can’t afford to lose any picks. If they plan on trading up to grab a player they believe in, they cannot afford to lose draft picks.
Trading up to grab a weapon for Justin Fields would be ideal if a top wide receiver falls in the draft, but they’d have to even out their draft picks. With no first-round draft choices, moving up into the first round is likely not happening. At 39th overall, they’re just a few picks into the second round. Trading up that early isn’t worth it.
DON’T: Miss out on a top wide receiver
Joshua L. Jones-USA TODAY NETWORK/Athens Banner-Herald
The Bears need both wide receivers and offensive linemen in this draft. There are too many talented players who will fall into the second round. Losing Allen Robinson is a big blow to this team, despite the lack of production and injury issues in 2021.
But Fields needs a big-time target. If Penn State’s Jahan Dotson or Georgia’s George Pickens are available at No. 39, the Bears would be foolish to pass on either pass catcher. They could also draft another one in the later rounds.
Their first pick should be a wide receiver and their second pick should be an offensive lineman. They cannot afford to miss on adding weapons for Fields in this year’s draft.