How the 2022 NFL Draft class for the Bears has performed

The Bears envisioned Jones Jr.’s blazing speed – he ran a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine – as an asset in the return game, but his errors on special teams have led to a reduced role. 

Braxton Jones, OT (5th round, 168th overall)

Jones’ PFF grade of 74.0 leads the class. He has started every game at left tackle and played 100% of the offensive snaps. Jones has allowed five sacks and 33 quarterback pressures overall but no sacks in the past four games.

Jones' PFF grade puts him among the top 20 tackles in the NFL. He has five penalties but has proven to be a building block rather than a stopgap on the line. That is wonderful value for in the fifth round.

Dominique Robinson, DL (5th round, 174th overall)

Robinson exploded onto the scene with 1.5 sacks and one TFL in his first NFL game in Week 1. He has no sacks and only one TFL since. Robinson was expected to contribute more after the Bears traded veteran pass-rusher Robert Quinn to the Eagles, but he has only eight QB pressures. Robinson’s PFF grade is 48.1, the second lowest among the class. 

Zachary Thomas, OT (6th round, 186th overall)

The Bears entered the preseason hoping Thomas would challenge for a starting guard spot. When the Bears claimed Alex Leatherwood via waivers, Thomas became expendable. The Bears assigned him to the practice squad before the Rams signed him in November.

Trestan Ebner, RB (6th round, 203rd overall)

Ebner was drafted because of his versatility as a pass-catching running back as well as his skills in the return game – he was the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year in 2020 and 2021. He found opportunities hard to come by early in the season behind David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert. 

When Ebner’s role increased due to injuries to Montgomery and Herbert, he was largely unproductive, carrying the ball 24 times for 54 yards. He recently was passed on the depth chart by veteran Darrynton Evans. Ebner’s PFF grade of 52.1 is the fifth best in the class.

Doug Kramer, C (6th round, 207th overall)

Kramer was drafted with the hope that he could compete for the backup center role. However, he suffered a foot injury in training camp and will not play this season.

Ja’Tyre Carter, OL (7th round, 226th overall)

Carter was the fourth and final offensive lineman chosen by the Bears in the draft. He has been inactive for most of the season and only played four snaps, all on special teams.

Elijah Hicks, S (7th round, 254th overall)

Hicks has played mostly as a special teamer. He did not get any defensive snaps until Week 12, when injuries to Jackson and Brisker forced the safety from Cal into action. He had a rough introduction to life in an NFL defensive backfield, allowing three completions and two touchdowns on four passes.

He will contribute almost exclusively on special teams once Jackson and Brisker return. Hicks’ PFF grade of 51.3 is third highest among 2022 Bears draftees.

Trenton Gill, P (7th round, 255th overall)

The Bears selected Gill out of North Carolina State to replace longtime punter Pat O’Donnell. His results are middling. Gill averages 46.9 yards per attempt and 40.5 net yards overall. According to FootballDB, those values are good for 19th and 28th in the NFL, respectively.