The Chicago Bears have leaned heavily on their 2022 draft class to plug some obvious gaps in their roster. Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker are starters in the secondary. Trenton Gill is the starting punter. Dominique Robinson is a key part of their pass rush rotation. Yet the most vital member of that group is Braxton Jones, an unheralded 5th round pick that became their starting left tackle early in training camp. People thought it was an ill-advised gamble at the time. They seemed right through the first few weeks of the season. Things may have changed.
Through the first six games, Jones looked like a rookie. He allowed 20 pressures (3.33 per game) and four sacks. However, things seem to have settled down since then. Over the past three games, Jones has allowed eight pressures (2.66 per game) and only one sack. Keep in mind this came against opponents that employed the likes of Matthew Judon, Micah Parson, Demarcus Lawrence, and Bradley Chubb. Two of those three games were also on the road. If that weren’t enough, he has the same run-blocking grade (72.7) as Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro Lane Johnson.
The Chicago Bears have Jones pointed in the right direction.
Having high expectations of him is perfectly fair. This is the NFL, after all. Still, it’s important people remember where this kid came from. He played his entire college career at Southern Utah, a small school program. The only time he faced pro-caliber talent was when he showed up for the Senior Bowl earlier this year. He went from that to staring down the best pass rushers in the sport in a matter of months. Keep this in mind. Alex Leatherwood, a former 1st round pick, allowed 36 pressures and five sacks in his first nine games. He did so despite attending Alabama in college, facing the best prospects in the country every week.
Jones outperformed him without any of the same advantages. Nobody is saying the guy is a Pro Bowler. Yet it can’t be understated how impressive it is that he’s been able to function under such challenging circumstances. His steady improvement has helped Justin Fields play some of his best football. It isn’t a coincidence the Chicago Bears are averaging 30 points per game in the past three weeks. That doesn’t happen without adequate play from your left tackle. If this continues, it makes the job of GM Ryan Poles easier as he looks to rebuild the offensive line.
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