Baylor football: Top 3 Bears prospects for 2022 NFL Draft
By John Scimeca
Baylor football had a disappointing run in 2020, finishing with a 2-7 mark and second-to-last place in the Big 12, ahead of only Kansas.
This down year was reflected in Baylor’s showing as a team in the 2021 NFL Draft, in which only one player was drafted — and in the seventh round. It was a historically poor showing for the Big 12 as a whole, and one that is likely to improve next spring.
Washington selected Baylor defensive end William Bradley-King with the No. 240 overall pick, making him the only Bear to go in this year’s draft. This was a big dropoff from the 2020 NFL Draft, in which four Baylor football players were selected. That group was headlined by wide receiver Denzel Mims, who went late in the second round to the New York Jets.
As things stand right now and with 11 months to go, which players are Baylor football’s top prospects to go in the 2022 NFL Draft?
The Bears clearly had bigger hopes for 2020 after hiring LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda to replace outgoing boss Matt Rhule, who took over a year ago as the head coach of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. Two seasons ago, Baylor football finished with an 11-3 record and a Sugar Bowl appearance — a loss to Georgia.
While the Bears certainly hope to rebound for the 2021 season, one can expect to see more scouts taking a look at some players who returned to school in order to boost their NFL draft stock.
With a Baylor team taking the field this fall hungry to forget 2020, here are the top Bears prospects to watch for the 2022 NFL Draft.