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Chalk Talk: Which mock drafts were accurate?

May 02, 2022 at 11:16 AM

Larry Mayer

Bears Senior Writer

Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.

I enjoy reading mock drafts but never see anything afterwards about which one was the most accurate. Did any of the mocks have the Bears taking cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker with their two second-round picks?
Steven C.
Michigan

Of the 20 mock drafts we featured before the first round last Thursday, only one had either of the Bears' second-round picks correct: ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. predicted that the Bears would select Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon at No. 39 in the second round. Here's what Kiper wrote: "The Bears could go several ways here, including offensive tackle, wide receiver and guard. With Gordon still available, though, I'd pounce. He has lockdown traits and didn't allow a single touchdown in coverage last season. There has been a great history of teams finding starting corners in the second round, and Gordon has a great chance to play early." Only two other mocks had the Bears choosing a cornerback at No. 39: College Football News' Pete Fiutek projected that the Bears would pick Florida's Kaiir Elam (who went in the first round to the Bills at No. 23), while Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer predicted that the Bears would select Auburn's Roger McCreary (who went in the second round to the Titans at No. 35). None of the mock drafts had the Bears choosing a safety at No. 48. I feel that I should add that the draft is an inexact science and mock drafts are 10 times that, so it doesn't surprise me that only one of them correctly projected a Bears pick, especially given that they didn't have a first-round selection.

When was the last time (if ever) the Bears spent each of their first two picks in a draft on defensive backs?
Tom L.
South Barrington, Illinois

This year marked the first time that the Bears selected defensive backs with their first two picks since 2006, when they chose Abilene Christian safety Danieal Manning at No. 42 and Miami cornerback Devin Hester at No. 57. Hester, of course, was selected primarily for his skills as a return specialist. He played several positions in college and was switched to receiver in his second NFL season with the Bears. Just like this year with Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker, Manning and Hester both were picked in the second round. Manning was chosen with a selection the Bears obtained from trading down from No. 26 in the first round with the Bills. The Bears also acquired a third-round pick in the deal that they spent on defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek at No. 73.

I believe that all the picks the Bears traded to the Giants to move up in last year's draft to take Justin Fields have now been used. So, please tell us: which players were selected with those choices?
Ron J.
Oak Forest, Illinois

The Bears traded four picks to the Giants—two last year and two this year—to move up nine spots in last year's draft to select quarterback Justin Fields at No. 11. With the choices they acquired, last year the Giants picked receiver Kadarius Toney in the first round at No. 20 and traded the fourth-round selection to the Jets, who chose safety Michael Carter II. As a rookie, Toney caught 39 passes for 420 yards and no touchdowns while playing in 10 games with four starts. Carter registered 72 tackles, five pass breakups and no interceptions while appearing in 15 contests with seven starts. With the two 2022 picks they acquired from the Bears, the Giants selected tackle Evan Neal in the first round at No. 7 and tight end Daniel Bellinger in the fourth round at No. 112.