The Chicago Bears aren’t focused on the NFL draft yet. At least most of the organization isn’t. They’re working hard to find a victory on Thursday night against New England. However, general manager Ryan Poles and his scouts have remained busy with the prep work for the 2027 draft next spring. It is impossible to say which player they’ll take right. They have no idea what pick slot they will hold and which players will be available. However, there are already rumblings about who they may look at. Enter Kelley Jones.
Longtime draft insider Charlie Campbell has been doing extensive research on the incoming class. Based on what he’s seen and heard, the Bears will be focused on defense this offseason. While everyone is focused on the defensive line as a priority, it sounds like cornerback is higher on the list than many realize. Tyrique Stevenson is a free agent next year. Jaylon Johnson has regressed considerably from two years ago. Jones is considered one of the top corners in the draft and a perfect fit for Chicago.
Chicago Bears: Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
“Jones (6-3, 196) is a big cornerback with impressive coverage skills. In 2026, Jones has 21 tackles with seven passes broken up. Jones is long, physical, and has speed. On top of coverage skills, Jones is a willing tackler and run defender. In 2025, Jones had 34 tackles with two interceptions and 11 passes broken up. He had 28 tackles as a freshman. Jones would make a ton of sense for the Bears’ first-round pick.”
It’s hard to argue with the logic.
From what we’ve learned about Dennis Allen as a defensive coordinator, his system’s success isn’t predicated on consistent pass rush. At least not to the extent others are. His scheme functions at its peak when he has dependable coverage from the secondary. This enables him to unload some of those nasty blitz packages you see every week at a much higher frequency. With the secondary taking away easy completions, it forces the quarterback to move beyond his first read, and that’s when the blitz usually gets you.
Chicago’s entire approach depended on them having at least one really good boundary cornerback. That was Johnson. Unfortunately, he hasn’t looked like himself since the end of the 2024 season. It feels likely that the ugly groin and core injuries he suffered last year may have impacted him more than feared. Stevenson has always been inconsistent. While the team has high hopes for rookie Malik Muhammad, it makes sense that they’d target someone like Kelley Jones to supplement the unit.
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It’s up to Jones to put himself in position.
There is still a long way to go before the draft. So much can happen. Not the least of which is Jones somebody hurting his draft stock with poor play or a bad injury. The Bears could also pull a blockbuster trade out of nowhere, giving up their 1st round pick for an immediate difference-maker. Still, the connection makes sense. He exhibits all of the qualities Allen and defensive backs coach Al Harris would prefer. Big, athletic, and physical. If not him, then it stands to reason they target someone similar.
The point remains that cornerback is lining up to be on the same tier of priority as pass rusher. Those days of thinking it was a team strength are done. That is, unless Johnson somehow gets things turned around in the next couple of months. It is possible. He’s only 27 years old. Still, the odds keep tilting in that direction, and Campbell is wise to have it circled.
