Velus Jones Already Emerging As Bears’ 2nd-Best Receiver

The Chicago Bears offense has unsurprisingly had its good days and bad days thus far in practices. Like it or not, the talent gap on the roster still favors the defense, especially after GM Ryan Poles used his top two draft choices on a cornerback and safety. His hope this year was to load up the offense with lots of new faces, lots more athleticism, and lean on new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy to install an effective system. There are plenty of concerns regarding this approach. Nowhere more so than at wide receiver. Apparently, the team has few standouts at the position outside of Darnell Mooney. Oh, and Velus Jones.

One of the most heavily criticized draft picks Poles made two months ago was the 3rd rounder out of Tennessee. Many felt he was a reach, having produced only one good year of production in six seasons and already about to turn 25-years old. Poles didn’t care. He felt Jones’ unique explosiveness was hard to pass up. As for the age, that just meant the guy is more mature than most rookies. It sounds like Jones is validating those words as one of the few bright spots in practice, according to Adam Jahns of The Athletic.

Velus Jones offers hope for the future, at least.

It sounds like the Bears have serious depth concerns at wide receiver. That isn’t a big surprise. Poles is leaning on a quantity-over-quality approach, hoping one or two guys emerge from a larger pack to become contributors. Right now, there is a significant distance between those at the top like Mooney, Jones, Byron Pringle, and everybody else. Answers could be forthcoming when training camp begins.

There is a possibility the team isn’t done adding to the position. If somebody of note becomes available via cuts, Poles may pounce. That aside, one can safely assume he and the coaching staff love what they’re seeing from Velus Jones. For him to already give the defense problems is a welcome sign for what could be coming when the season begins. There is no doubt they’ll want to get the ball in his hands as much as possible.