Dynasty fantasy football is a year-round affair. A sharp manager will be thinking about all aspects of the dynasty season at all times. Those managers who are keen enough to look ahead will be the ones that can grab themselves an edge over the competition. A large portion of the dynasty off-season will be spent discussing incoming rookies and the related topic, the NFL draft. It is easy for us to fall in love with the next workhorse running back or prototypical alpha wide receiver. A manager that is in tune with the entire draft class as a whole will find themselves ahead of the game. Whether it is the next road-paving interior offensive lineman or genetic freak edge rusher, we can find ourselves at quite the advantage in April by building an entire picture of how the 2022 class will play out. Those that prepare ahead will not be often surprised at the outcomes.
The draft order used in this article reflects the order through NFL Week 15. Credit to the mock draft simulation goes to The Draft Network. Team needs are also generated from this site. Compensatory picks have not been assigned and will not be included in this exercise, nor will trades in the mock draft machine.
The Bears are in an interesting spot with their future quarterback in Justin Fields. They traded up to get in the 2021 NFL Draft, but the staff and front office are in limbo. The defense flashes at times due to it being led by Khalil Mack and Eddie Jackson, but the offense still needs to be built up. Fields can be the centerpiece, but this team goes nowhere in the NFC North without doing that. They have several big impending free agents, with Allen Robinson being the biggest. Losing him may lead to that position being a top target for them in the draft this year.
2.38 – Drake London, WR USC
As mentioned above, Robinson is an impending free agent. They couldn’t reach a long-term deal last offseason and may not this year. If they can’t, Drake London being available early in round two may be a blessing in disguise. He has a similar style to Robinson and would be a lot cheaper in the process while not leaving Fields without a number one receiver.
London would immediately become a playmaker for the Bears and Fields. Before injury his ankle this season, he accumulated 1,084 yards in just seven full games played. He was on pace for a Biletnikoff Award-like season, but the injury ruined those chances, which made him focus on the NFL. This is another loaded receiver class, so if London isn’t available when the Bears draft in round two, they will have other choices as well. For now, let this perfect match settle into the conscience and let the Fields to London daydreams fly. A great start to this Chicago Bears mock draft.
3.69 – Cameron Thomas, EDGE San Diego State
A hockey player turned football player, Thomas will become a hot name sooner rather than later. This year for the Aztecs, he had a season chock-full of success that included 20 TFL and 10.5 sacks. He is a candidate for Mountain West defensive player of the year for a good reason. But there is a lot to like beyond the stats. He uses his length well and has phenomenal instincts. There is enough there that, opposite Khalil Mack, he could become dangerous.
4.144 – Zion Nelson, OT, Miami (FL)
Once getting first-round hype, Nelson has seen his stock fizzle out a little bit. But that doesn’t mean that he can’t be developed back into what it once was. He has the size and length to play outside tackle and be successful with it. The question remains if he will be scheme-specific. The Bears drafted Teven Jenkins last year in round two, but he hasn’t shown to be much yet after missing the early part of the season to injury. In drafting Nelson, they take another chance on a future starting tackle. In round four, it is a low-risk, high-reward play in this Chicago Bears mock draft.
4.146 – Cole Turner, TE, Nevada
One of Carson Strong’s favorite this past year was the tight end, Cole Turner. They have Cole Kmet, who is turning into a quality NFL TE with FIelds, but Turner presents a different skill set in the offense. Turner presents a more hybrid option where Kmet is a complete tight end with solid blocking and receiving skills. He can be used in-line or outside at receiver even in the offense and at the end of the day, getting Fields more weapons is the play here in this Chicago Bears mock draft.
6.185 – Taiwan Mullen, CB, Indiana
Rounding out the mock draft for the Chicago Bears is another dart throw, but it is a dart throw with NFL bloodlines. Taiwan Mullen saw his brother Trayvon Mullen get selected in the second round by the Las Vegas Raiders as well his cousin Lamar Jackson take over the league as he leads the Baltimore Ravens. This Mullen has the physical traits you like from a corner where he has and plays with decent length while also showing solid ball skills and instincts on film. He may not be a starter on day one or ever, but he can be a playmaker on a rotation as well as serve one special teams at a high level.