It took five rounds and 168 picks, but the Chicago Bears finally have an offensive lineman.
Better late than never, right?
Braxton Jones … come on down!
Adding some power up front. 💥
Welcome to Chicago, @braxtonjones742! pic.twitter.com/odNuq8Wf2x
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 30, 2022
After executing multiple trade downs to start the day, the Bears finally got around to using one of their draft choices. And for a player who could help in Justin Fields’ development, as well as the advancement of an offensive line that has been in desperate need of fresh faces and big bodies.
Brandon Thorn, who is something of an authority figure on evaluating offensive line play, had Jones catch his eye earlier in the season:
Southern Utah LT Braxton Jones is an intriguing prospect. Listed at 6'7" 310 with prototypical length, he uses his hands really well, can generate impressive control on blocks, & consistently looks to finish. pic.twitter.com/FQ3MfRgVIe
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) September 6, 2021
Southern Utah’s Braxton Jones was Pro Football Focus’ 110th overall player in this draft class. In other words, getting Jones at pick No. 168 feels like a relative draft weekend steal. The 6-5, 310-pound offensive tackle has massive arms (35-3/8 inches) and is coming off a dominating performance in the Big Sky Conference, where he was a first-team all-conference pick in each of the last two season. Jones has three years of starting experience as a left tackle. And while I’m unsure if the Bears will have him work out at that position, move him inside, or perhaps develop him as a swing tackle, Jones is certainly an intriguing prospect with upside. The exact type of prospect you’d hope the Bears would take with an eye on building up in the later round.
More of that as these Day 3 picks keep rolling through, please.