Between 2022 and 2023, GM Ryan Poles has now made 21 total draft picks. That is a great way to help the Chicago Bears get younger, cheaper, and deeper. Most would agree his first class showed some encouraging signs. Jaquan Brisker looked like an immediate stud. Kyler Gordon made big improvements after a shaky start. Braxton Jones started every snap at left tackle. Probably the most controversial name was Velus Jones. The 3rd round pick from Tennessee was derided for being old (turning 25 that season) and having only one year of quality production.
Poles didn’t mind the concerns. He felt the Bears were getting a standout athlete with tons of versatility that could help them on offense and special teams. The Bears GM was correct, partially. Jones finished with a respectable 607 kick return yards while amassing 210 total yards and two touchdowns on offense. Unfortunately, he also had three fumbles on the season and made little impact as a receiver. Now with the arrival of electric rookie Tyler Scott from Cincinnati, there is an undercurrent of belief that Jones’ roster spot isn’t safe. Jeff Hughs of Da Bears Blog indicated the possibility is real.
“Tyler Scott is a speed addition, protection for Velus Jones’ struggles in 2022. Does this mean Velus’ roster spot is tenuous? It might. If Scott shows he can steal those jet sweeps and go routes, while also contributing on specials, Velus could find himself looking for a home this summer.”
Velus Jones is in dangerous territory right now.
The top three spots on the wide receiver depth chart are already locked up by D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney, and Chase Claypoo. Scott will claim another one. That leaves only two remaining. It means Jones must battle Equanimeous St. Brown, Dante Pettis, and Nsimba Webster for them. All three of those players are quality standouts on special teams. St. Brown and Pettis had a far greater impact as receivers too. Jones must show considerable progress this summer if he wants to keep his roster spot.
Some people may not believe the Bears would move on from a 3rd round pick so quickly. Except they must remember who’s in charge. Poles comes from Kansas City where they had no issues moving on from higher draft choices after a short period. Cornerback KeiVarae Russell was a 3rd round pick in 2016. The Chiefs cut him in the second week of the regular season. The worst thing you can do as a GM is to let a bad player stick around because of his draft status. That is why Velus Jones should be nervous.
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