The Chicago Bears offensive line has opened many eyes through the first few weeks of the season. While they’ve been far from perfect, their performance across the past three games leads many to think they’re better than they got credit for. A big reason for that is the performance of key young players. Teven Jenkins has found a home at right guard. However, the bigger surprise is the emergence of Braxton Jones at left tackle.
People were intrigued by the rookie 5th round pick during the summer. He claimed the starting spot in OTAs, kept it through training camp, and never relinquished it in the preseason. Some thought the Bears were crazy for putting somebody from small Southern Utah with no experience on the blind side of Justin Fields. None of them have reasons to complain lately since his name is rarely mentioned. One tape analyst believes the rookie is turning into one of the biggest steals of the entire 2022 draft.
The Football Scout on Youtube broke down why that is.
Braxton Jones has run quite the gauntlet thus far.
He started out against Nick Bosa in Week 1, faced Preston Smith and Rashan Gary in Week 2, and then tangled with ageless Jerry Hughes last Sunday. Those are four top-notch NFL pass rushers. Not being completely overwhelmed by such a challenge is a testament to his talent and preparation. Not only that, but he also seems to have improved on what many felt was his biggest weakness in college. That being his run blocking.
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The numbers back up the assessment too. ESPN has Braxton Jones tied for third among all NFL tackles in the highest pass block win rate.
GM Ryan Poles still has work to do with the offensive line. Right tackle Larry Borom looks less and less like a long-term starter as the games go along. They still could use an upgrade at center unless Lucas Patrick finally shows he can play there rather than rotating at right guard with Jenkins. There is no doubt that Jones’ emergence makes the Bears’ entire 2023 plan far easier. Finding quality left tackles is beyond difficult in this league. Scoring one in the 5th round doesn’t happen. Don’t be surprised if this development becomes one of the significant turning points in the team’s offensive fortunes a few years down the road.
To be fair, in regards to Patrick’s low PFF grade… He played 2 out of 3 games with a club/cast on his hand. And he’s also only getting part time snaps. Once he is inserted full time as the starting center (which I really hope is this week) you will see him grade out better. And I think he is noticeably better than Mustipher. PFF grades are a good tool, but they do not tell the whole story.
This unit will take a while to gel. When all the starters get in their respective positions and get a couple games together… then let’s talk.
You are complete clown, Lambert.
Braxton Jones has done fine — the same as Larry Borom (a fifth-round selection in 2021, by Ryan Pace that is PFF’s highest rated Bears lineman).
But to suggest that one of these two needs to be replaced; and that Lucas Patrick (PFF’s lowest rated Bears lineman) is “the answer” at center or at RG reveals what a suck-up you are to your daddy, Ryan Poles.
Getting a starting left tackle late in the draft isn’t impossible. See Charles Leno, from Boise state. He was a 7th rounder, and was a quality starter for many years for the Bears. Nice to see that trend continue.
But what’s exceptional about Braxton Jones is that he’s not just a quality starter, as he gets better he might be one of the top left tackles in the league, and that’s a much higher standard, one usually held by top 10 picks, or at least first rounders or high second rounders. That’s why he’s a steal.
Read Brad Biggs’ take on Jones in the Chicago Tribune. Jones is being helped on many plays and still giving up some sacks – there’s some thinking he may even be replaced. So he’s not a world-beater (yet). I’m optimistic for his future but in this instance I believe the stats are misleading. When he starts handling pass rush studs one-on-one you can start up the hype.