Chicago Bears have ‘large plan’ for Velus Jones Jr., whose velocity, versatility are key property – Chicago Bears Weblog

LAKE FOREST, Sick. — Velus Jones Jr. walked into Halas Corridor for his first day of labor and left a powerful impression on his new coaches.

The huge receiver, whom the Chicago Bears drafted 71st general, wore a swimsuit and introduced his personal whiteboard to conferences. He got here throughout ready, aiming to show his all-in method and age as a soon-to-be 25-year-old rookie might be an asset for a skinny place group.

“I’m all about my enterprise,” Jones stated. “I used to be younger, however now that I’m older I understand what’s at stake, and that is one of the best job on the planet.

“They’re getting a man that’s mature. I don’t care a lot about partying. … My thoughts is screwed on proper, and they also’re positively getting a mature man that’s all about his enterprise and goes to assist this staff in any approach potential.”

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Jones was the one receiver Chicago drafted with its 11 picks final month, which was considerably of a shock contemplating the emphasis on surrounding second-year quarterback Justin Fields with as many weapons as potential. Jones was taken forward of a number of wideouts with significantly extra offensive manufacturing, like Khalil Shakir, Jalen Tolbert and Calvin Austin III.

Over the course of a six-year school profession — the NCAA allowed an additional 12 months in the course of the pandemic — that started at USC in 2016 earlier than Jones transferred to Tennessee to have a much bigger position as a large receiver throughout his last two seasons, the 6-foot, 200-pound receiver/return man developed into a flexible weapon on offense and particular groups. In line with ESPN Stats & Data, Jones was the one FBS participant with greater than 800 receiving yards, 600 kickoff return yards and 200 punt return yards in 2021. He additionally had seven receiving touchdowns and returned a kickoff for a rating. It was by far his finest 12 months when it comes to offensive manufacturing after totaling 627 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns mixed throughout his 5 earlier seasons.

Bears normal supervisor Ryan Poles stopped wanting evaluating the rookie to San Francisco’s do-it-all Deebo Samuel, however he envisions the power to line Jones up “wherever” to pay dividends. That was mirrored throughout rookie minicamp as Jones was switched from the backfield to the slot to the surface.

“I used to be speaking to [Bears offensive coordinator] Luke [Getsy] the opposite day concerning the particular attributes that [Jones] has, and he’s obtained a giant plan for him,” coach Matt Eberflus stated. “Let’s begin out at receiver after which let’s see what he can do, shifting him round to totally different spots and getting him the ball, as a result of he’s an explosive athlete.”

Chicago will proceed to kind out its huge receiver depth chart when the complete squad begins OTAs subsequent week. Whereas making an attempt to determine the place to align the likes of Darnell Mooney and up to date free-agent signings Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown, Jones’ velocity could possibly be a think about figuring out whether or not his finest match is as an X-receiver. His 4.31-second 40-yard sprint was the fourth-fastest on the NFL mix.

“I imply he can deal with this league, you possibly can see that already,” Getsy stated. “Then the velocity simply jumped at you on the tape. When that man will get the ball in his arms, he appears to be like like 4.three on the sphere. Not many guys can try this, and I feel that’s what stood out about this man. He has an opportunity to attain each time he touches the ball.”

As a plan for Jones begins to take form on offense, his particular groups impression feels imminent. Jones earned SEC co-special groups participant of the 12 months after averaging 132.5 all-purpose yards per sport in 2021, which included 27.three yards per kick return and 15.1 yards per punt return. Chicago particular groups coordinator Richard Hightower stated he anticipates Jones competing for each jobs this offseason. And for Jones, honing his craft as a return specialist is what he believes will assist him in his improvement as a receiver.

Discovering dynamic return specialists grew to become a precedence for Chicago after parting methods with huge receiver Jakeem Grant and operating again Tarik Cohen this offseason. The Bears prioritized gamers who aren’t simply restricted to the positions they play on offense or protection. And for Jones, honing his craft as a returner is what he believes will assist him in his improvement as a receiver.

“I might say it is actually a blessing,” Jones stated. “I need to win video games, and I need to assist this teaching employees win video games … any approach I can have an effect on the sport, positively within the return sport and as a receiver. I am blessed that I can do each as a result of I can impression the sport in numerous methods. So I am actually enthusiastic about that.”