Chicago Bears land Combine studs in this 2022 mock draft with trades

Round 3 sees the Bears use their second pick in the draft on a starting corner. Mississippi State’s Martin Emerson is a pretty curious prospect, because he comes away from college having only intercepted one pass. Yet, he’s looked at as a potential starter in the NFL.

The problem with Emerson’s lack ball production isn’t on the player, but a testament to just how good he was. Emerson was infrequently targeted by opposing quarterbacks, which is the ultimate compliment you can receive as a cornerback.

He is a long, rangy cornerback who sticks close to is man in one-on-one coverage but also functions very well in zone. Emerson stands 6-foot-2, which makes him one of the taller corners in this class.

Emerson ran his 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds, which is a fairly respectable time. He’s not the fastest by any means, but he’s a smart player. He’s a quick reactor, and Emerson rarely fails to come up and help in run support. Although his 40 time doesn’t show he’s the fastest guy, Emerson does reach top speed in a hurry. He is more quick than he is fast, and as long as his reaction times are strong, he’ll have a fine career as a pro.