2022 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears add WRs, OLine in 7-Round Mock
By Kyle Edmond
Round 3, Pick 71: Tyler Smith, OL, Tulsa
Now with at least one weapon for Fields, the Bears can focus on protecting him and upgrading the offensive line. Like the wide receivers, the offensive line has few pieces under contract as of now for the 2022 season.
Starters Cody Whitehair and Germain Ifedi are set to return while 2021 selections Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom will be back as well. That still leaves at least one more spot that has to be filled for a starting offensive line alone, not including depth.
Tyler Smith is a bit raw, but the talent is there and that’s enough at this point in the draft. A Freshman All-American and First-Team All-AAC selection in 2020, Smith played left tackle at Tulsa but could move inside to play guard at the NFL level. He’s also proven himself against some of Tulsa’s toughest opponent’s, including being graded at a 94% over 72 snaps against No. 6 Cincinnati in 2020.
Smith might not be the ideal candidate to block for Fields, but with the limited draft capital the Bears are going to need to figure something out. Smith has potential with enough talent to step into a starting role next season. This is a decent value pick that could turn into something better down the line.