Bears showing interest in potential late-round gem
The Chicago Bears currently own 10 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. With these picks, the Bears will need to fill several needs, most glaringly edge rusher and offensive line. While the most emphasis is placed on the star prospects, the Bears have been doing due diligence on late-round prospects as well. One prospect out […]
The Chicago Bears currently own 10 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
With these picks, the Bears will need to fill several needs, most glaringly edge rusher and offensive line. While the most emphasis is placed on the star prospects, the Bears have been doing due diligence on late-round prospects as well.
One prospect out of the Sun Belt conference seems to have piqued interest in Chicago.
According to insider Daniel Greenberg, the Bears have lately shown interest in Andre Jones Jr. The Louisiana-Lafayette product had his most productive college season in 2022, finishing with 7.5 sacks and 51 tackles. Jones ended his college career with 15.5 sacks and 30 tackles for loss.
Greenberg reported that the team attended Jones' private workout and talked with him afterward. Bears' brass is also working on setting up a Zoom meeting with the prospect.
Jones is considered to be a late-round prospect or a priority undrafted free agent. The Bears currently own two fifth-round picks and two seventh-round picks. If the team is infatuated with Jones, he could be an option in the fifth.
Jones is likely best suited to play 4-3 defensive end. The edge rusher is 6'4", 248 lbs, likely making him too small to play on the interior and not quick enough to play the Sam or Will spot.
Defensive end could be the biggest area of need for the Bears, as no team collected fewer sacks than Chicago in 2022. While Jones would certainly not be the only addition, the former Ragin' Cajun could improve the depth.
You can rest assured that the Bears will be interested in other edge prospects as well. DeMarcus Walker and Rasheem Green were brought in in free agency, but the team still needs players here.
