ESPN labels Bears' rookie as 'surprise offseason standout'
Chicago Bears training camp is less than a month away, and offseason minicamp is finally in the rearview. Coaches, players, and media members finally got to make their first impressions of the rookies and new acquisitions that will fill out the roster. While every player is looking to make a big first impression and prove […]
Chicago Bears training camp is less than a month away, and offseason minicamp is finally in the rearview. Coaches, players, and media members finally got to make their first impressions of the rookies and new acquisitions that will fill out the roster.
While every player is looking to make a big first impression and prove something to his new team, it can be challenging to standout before things are at full speed. Summer minicamp is hardly a full sample of what NFL players can bring to the table. They don't even have pads on.
Anything coming out of those practices should be taking with a grain of salt by fans. It doesn't mean any of it will translate to the football field.
At the end of the day, the one thing fans hope to get out of minicamp is a glimmer of hope for a young prospect that is turning heads and surprising everyone in early drills. Fans want to create buzz for training camp as they endure this long break without football. They need a player to give them reason for excitement in June.
A Chicago Bears prospect is doing just that.
A recent article published by ESPN had NFL beat writers from around the league name the biggest "surprise offseason standout" from each team. It had be a player that either hadn't lived up to expectations thus far, or a rookie drafted on day three of the NFL Draft.
The Chicago Bears player mentioned was OT Braxton Jones.
OT Braxton Jones
The fifth-round pick quickly emerged with the first-team offensive line at left tackle during spring practices and supplanted Teven Jenkins, who moved to right tackle with the second-team unit. Jones admitted he was "a little bit surprised" he was competing with the ones this early but understands the importance of the reps he has gotten, which have helped him create a pre-snap process, learn different cadences and move faster. — Courtney Cronin
Jones was drafted by the Bears in the 5th round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Southern Utah. Despite his occasional poor technique and playing against weaker competition, he was an enticing OT prospect because of his size and length.
Jones stands 6'5" and 310 pounds with a long arms measuring 35 3/8". He was also second in all of FBS football according to his PFF performance grade.
Jones emerging as a potential starter in camp could be massive for the Bears in more ways than one.
For starters, offensive line has been a huge need for the Bears. They have to protect Justin Fields at all costs and give him the horses in front of him to succeed. While Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom have at times been exciting prospects over the last year, neither one has been consistent enough to trust on the line routinely. Jones now provides added depth and star-potential to the offensive line.
This also may show that Ryan Poles (a former Bears offensive lineman) could have sixth sense when it comes to scouting and developing the men in the trenches. If Poles has a knack for offensive line talent, they could build it from within, and Justin Fields and the Bears are in even better shape than we thought.
Braxton Jones is a name to watch throughout all of training camp. His continued success is nothing but positive for the 2022 Bears.
Image via Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
