Perception is a funny thing in sports. So often, people find out what fans or media experts think isn’t even close to reality inside the league itself. Never is that clearer than during the NFL draft. Everybody loves to predict when and where a player will go based on evaluations. Then they see those players go many spots higher or lower than expected. There is no better example this past year for the Chicago Bears than Velus Jones.
After going defense with both of their 2nd round picks, GM Ryan Poles knew he needed to get Justin Fields some help on offense. He took the wide receiver out of Tennessee with the 71st pick in the 3rd round. This was a shock to many. Most had him not going until the 4th or even 5th rounds. That mean selecting the 24-year-old was an automatic reach. The Bears didn’t see it that way. Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus explained to Albert Breer of the MMQB how both scouts and the coaching staff were high on Jones.
If that wasn’t validation enough, they got more shortly after the pick happened.
What they’ve had so far is moments like when they took Jones out of Tennessee in the third round. The scouts liked him. Then it went to the coaches. Getsy (the former Packers QB coach and now Bears OC) and the offensive staff were all in on how his ability to get down the field would take pressure off receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Cole Kmet. Special teams coach Richard Hightower explained the value he could bring in the return game. So Poles and Eberflus pulled the trigger on a guy they valued right.
“And how we know that’s true,” Eberflus said, “we must’ve gotten 10 calls right after we drafted him.”
Poles smiled and said, “That’s the best feeling in the world.”
You know you probably did the right thing when a third of the league calls to complain.
Velus Jones has lived up to the expectations thus far.
While consistency isn’t his strength yet, he’s provided a healthy share of exciting flash plays during training camp. His route running is further along than expected, and his speed is every bit as advertised. There is proving to do on the field, but the Bears don’t seem to have second thoughts about their decision. He can be an immediate impact player if utilized with some creativity. Not to mention he looks like the early favorite to be their starting punt returner.
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The thing to remember here is the Bears never drafted Velus Jones with the expectations he must be their future star. That isn’t how it works with 3rd round picks. They saw a player with lots of talent that could become a capable offensive weapon. If they get 700-800 yards and 5-6 touchdowns out of him every year, that is a success. Anything beyond that would be gravy. Others around the NFL think he is capable of that and even more.
People seem to forget Devin Hester was 24 as a rookie we all saw how that turned out
That age crap is just a criticism somebody made up for early round picks so they could pick at something. Everybody 3rd round and later is a “flyer”. I’ll take the speed. He’s got a 4 year contract so he’ll be 28 when it’s time for another one. Big deal. I expect him to contribute and he has the speed to free up some other guys. Good pick.
ESPN have the Bears 28th in their power rankings…
for context…last year at this time they had the Bengals at 26
Gotta be honest. Bears fan, but these headlines that the author keeps putting out there are total clickbait. The previous article about fields and the packers was total hyperbole.
Jones being 25 is a non-issue. If he produces for 4 or more years 600-800 yards or more and 5-7 TDs per year, it will historically have been one of the Bears greatest 3rd round picks!!