10 biggest Chicago Bears needs going into the NFL Draft
By Todd Welter
3. Secondary
It would be great to see the Chicago Bears have a better secondary in 2022.
The Chicago Bears’ secondary was a huge weakness for the defense last season. Eddie Jackson had another subpar season. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson showed he can be one of the best corners in the game. The corners opposite of Johnson were just not good. Duke Shelley, Artie Burns, and Kindle Vildor could not get the job done.
Poles signed Tavon Young to be the nickel cornerback. Poles also signed corner Greg Stroman Jr and safety Dane Cruikshank. He also re-signed safety DeAndre Houston-Carson.
Stroman and Cruikshank project more as depth players who will provide help on special teams. Houston-Carson has been great as a backup and on special teams but he would be the starter next to Eddie Jackson if the season started today. That is not exactly the role Houston-Carson should be playing.
Thomas Graham Jr. has a lot of potential to be a solid NFL player but other than that, the Bears’ secondary remains weak. Plus, no one in the secondary, outside of Jackson, is exactly a ballhawk. In Eberflus’ defense, getting turnovers is paramount.
The Bears will have to use a pick or two to address the secondary. The question is when will Poles choose to address this position.
Poles could use one of his two second-round picks to address the secondary. This draft has a lot of good corners available in the first two rounds.
Washington’s Kyler Gordon has been linked as a player the Bears could select at pick 39. Florida’s Kaiir Elam is also another possible choice. Sam Houston State’s Zyon McCollum is another intriguing prospect but he is projected to go in the fourth round–a pick the Bears do not have.
The Chicago Bears had a pre-draft visit with Illinois safety Kerby Joseph. He has the ball-hawking safety skills Eberflus covets and should be available in the third round.
It would be a long shot but Tryann Mathieu is still available on the free-agent market. The Honey Badger and Poles have connections from their days together with the Chiefs.
One more free agent that the Bears could sign before training camp is cornerback, Xavier Rhodes. He is 32 but he played well for Eberflus in their days together with the Indianapolis Colts.