Braxton Jones is a 'foundational piece' and could impact Bears' draft plans
The Chicago Bears are starting to begin preparations for the 2024 NFL Draft and will be armed with the first and ninth overall selections in the first round. The Bears will have plenty of options to choose from with both selections and whether or not they even select at those positions come April. However, while […]
The Chicago Bears are starting to begin preparations for the 2024 NFL Draft and will be armed with the first and ninth overall selections in the first round.
The Bears will have plenty of options to choose from with both selections and whether or not they even select at those positions come April.
However, while speaking with reporters this week following the conclusion of the 2023 season, Bears general manager Ryan Poles might have given a hint toward a position he might veer away from in the first round.
While addressing the season in front of reporters on Wednesday, Poles was asked about the improved play of left tackle Braxton Jones during the season and how his improvement could affect what the Bears plan to target at the top of the draft.
"I thought Braxton did a good job, obviously, he got a little banged up but that's the first time he's missed games. He did a nice job," Poles explained. "He continued to get better, and I was proud of the progress. He spent a lot of time this offseason just working on his anchor and I thought you saw improvements there. I do believe he's a starting left tackle. But if it comes down to a situation where we increase competition, and that's what's best for us then we'll do that. But I'm proud of Braxton."
The response doesn’t give full security for Jones' future at the position but it should at least make it clear that the Bears won't be spending top capital to address the position. Poles believes Jones is worthy starting tackle and could at the most look into adding someone to provide competition/insurance behind him.
Many mock drafts for the Bears have penciled in Penn State left tackle Olu Fashanu or Norte Dame left tackle Joe Alt as potential targets for the Bears in the first round. It no longer seems like that is going to be the case.
The Bears front office will be looking to fill legitimate holes on the roster with their top two picks in the draft and right now, left tackle isn’t one of those priorities. Jones played very consistently for the Bears since returning from injury in Week 9.
The second year former fifth-round pick allowed only one sack and and 28 pressures from Weeks 9-18 to finish out the season, according to Pro Football Focus. His one sack allowed and four of those pressures came in Week 18 against the Green Bay Packers alone.
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus doubled-down on the support for Jones' future calling him a "foundational piece" from year one while also addressing reporters during the same press conference.
What the Bears decide to do with their top two picks is still a mystery. The draft is still months away, but it's good to get at least one option crossed off the list in regards to what the front office could be looking to add in the first round.
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