After selecting Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker and Velus Jones Jr. on Day 2, the Bears finally made their next selection at pick no. 168 which came in the fifth round.
With that pick, the Bears chose Southern Utah offensive tackle Braxton Jones.
Not many Bears fans had heard of Jones prior to being drafted, but he was indeed a Combine participant and projected to go in the fifth round by experts around the industry. What fans might now know, however, is just how good Jones was in 2021.
The Chicago Bears stole one of the nation’s best offensive tackles, in Braxton Jones, late in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Bears had to find offensive line help on Day 3, and Jones was just the first of four selected. Thankfully, the Bears will now have plenty of competition up front in effort to protect Justin Fields.
Jones, though, very well could end up starting. His 2021 campaign was one for the books.
The Chicago Bears pick Southern Utah Tackle Braxton Jones at No. 168 overall.
93.9 PFF grade in 2021 (1st among Big Sky Tackles, 2nd in FBS) ? pic.twitter.com/OmOQKeWgDg
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 30, 2022
Jones may have played in the Big Sky Conference, but he absolutely dominated for most of his time there. Pro Football Focus hands out unbiased, specifically-focused grades and for Jones to have earned the no. 2 overall offensive tackle grade in 2021 speaks volumes about his potential as a pro.
Head coach Matt Eberflus, along with Poles, expressed a desire to add speed and athleticism at all positions this offseason. In Jones, that’s just what they have found.
Jones stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 310 pounds, but ran his 40 in 4.97 seconds — yes, a sub-five second forty for a big boy. That’s impressive. But, he’s not just fast. He’s quick, too.
Jones can get out in space in a hurry and move up to the next level when needed. Off the line of scrimmage, Jones’ explosiveness shows up immediately on tape. That’s the number one thing you notice when watching him initially. Jones gets off the line with a purpose.