No position on the Chicago Bears roster is more in flux than edge rusher. While DeMarcus Walker was a welcome addition via free agency, the team hasn’t really added any true upgrades. It’s why many fans remain frustrated by GM Ryan Poles’ refusal to add another piece from somewhere—preferably someone with credibility. There is a flip side to this, though. An unsettled depth chart often creates two things: danger and opportunity. It can often be the perfect environment for an unheralded name to make a big impression.
That includes undrafted free agents. As a rebuilding team, the Bears are a perfect environment for unsung rookies to stand out. None have seized on that opportunity more of late than D’Anthony Jones. Chicago signed him out of Houston after the draft in May. The primary knock on him was his size. He’s only 6’0 tall, short for an NFL edge rusher. However, that didn’t stop him from racking up 14 sacks and 22 tackles for a loss in two seasons as a starter for the Cougars.
According to Aaron Wilson of Click 2 Houston, that disruptive presence has carried over into Bears training camp.
The Chicago Bears have clearly noticed Jones.
Giving him a daily performance award shows the coaches are paying attention. The next step in the process is proving he can do it in pads. Every drill he’s worked in to this point has been in shorts. Offensive linemen aren’t allowed to be entirely physical with him. That will change on August 2nd when the pads go on. If Jones can maintain this momentum, it might be time to start thinking about giving him legitimate opportunities at playing time. Never mind making the main roster.
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Don’t forget Jones wasn’t producing against second-rate programs. Some of his best performances came against Texas Tech or UCF. One of his calling cards was forcing fumbles. He had nine over his two seasons as a starter. This guy embodies everything the Chicago Bears want. He forces takeaways, gets the quarterback, plays with relentless effort, and works hard. If he were four inches taller, he probably would’ve been a 1st round pick. There have been successful undersized edge rushers in the past.
- Elvis Dumervil was 5’11.
- James Harrison was 6’0
- Dwight Freeney was 6’1
- LaMarr Woodley was 6’1
A guy who has the burst and strength can overcome height concerns. Jones might be on his way to proving that.
Guys like D’Anthony Jones and Terrell Lewis are low risk, high reward projects. Maybe they become rotational pieces, maybe the become depth. It costs next to nothing to get them, so if they don’t perform at this level it’s no big deal.
Even if they show some promise during the season with a few sacks, Poles will continue to invest in the position next offseason. Same with Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson. The probability they turn into the next Elvis Dumervil or James Harrison is extremely low. The best you can usually hope for is solid rotational depth.
I was hoping the Bears would pick up D’Anthony Jones in UDFA. Quite honestly I was surprised no one drafted him. And I was really hyped when they got Lewis last year.
I’m glad to see they’re making waves.
But I’m not going all in on them unti the pads go on. It’s a whole different world when that happens. Especially for the guys in the trenches and the RB’s.
That’s when we’ll know. Keeping fingers 🤞
I say look for a trade partner for Gipson and give both Jones and Terrell Lewis a closer look. I think there may be something there.