The Chicago Bears have made a series of exciting top draft picks in recent years, but they haven't all worked out as planned.
Certainly, first-overall pick Caleb Williams looks like the future of the franchise at quarterback. And between Rome Odunze, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, and Jaquan Brisker, the Bears have also made a series of savvy picks in the first three rounds of the past three drafts.
However, one of those early picks has not performed up to the expectations the Bears initially had for him in the 2022 draft. And one insider believes that could land said player on a new team by the trade deadline.
On Monday, ESPN's Bill Barnwell named third-year wide receiver/running back Velus Jones Jr. as one of his top candidates to be traded this season before the Week 9 trade deadline.
"Seemingly on an accelerated version of the Cordarrelle Patterson career path, Jones has been moved to running back this preseason," Barnwell said." I don't think any franchise would be going after the 27-year-old to serve as its primary back, but with the potential for added value in the return game, a team could justify sending a late-round pick to add Jones."
Jones raised some eyebrows with his draft selection because of how old he was for a college prospect. Drafted days before his 25th birthday, Jones now enters his third season in the National Football League at 27, the same age as seventh-year Bears receiver D.J. Moore.
In 26 career NFL games, Jones has just 281 scrimmage yards, with 11 catches and 17 rushing attempts. He has primarily been used as a returner, with 38 kick returns for a 27.4-yard average.
The Bears are now loaded at receiver, thanks to drafting Odunze and signing longtime star Keenan Allen in free agency. If Jones has any path to staying in Chicago, it's in the backfield, where he has led the Bears with 158 rushing yards this preseason.
However, as Barnwell suggests, perhaps it's simply time for Jones to get a fresh start elsewhere. Players of his archetype, like the aforementioned Patterson, have carved out nice career paths for themselves despite slow starts, and Jones could be the next to do so in this league.
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