The Chicago Bears selected Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones with the 71st overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.
After targeting defense with their first two picks, general manager Ryan Poles finally got some help for quarterback Justin Fields in the form of a new weapon in Jones.
Last year with the Vols, Jones had 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. Jones had 286 yards after contact, which ranked third among SEC wide receivers, per Pro Football Focus. Jones is also an explosive kick returner.
Here’s what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had to say about Jones:
Special-teams specialist with good size. Despite spending six seasons in college between his time at USC and Tennessee, Jones has very modest production as a wideout, but flashed potential in that area in 2021. He’s fearless with the ball in his hands after the catch and as a kick returner. He’s not a very fundamentally sound route-runner but might not need to be if teams view him as a catch-and-run specialist in the quick game underneath. Jones has a chance to ride his special teams versatility into a specialist spot on a roster.
Wide receiver was arguably Chicago’s biggest need heading into the draft, and Poles waited until the third round to address it. Jones joins a receiving corps led by Darnell Mooney, who’s the undisputed WR1 right now. The Bears added some depth options in Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown in free agency.
The Bears have three selections remaining on Day 3, including a pair of fifth-round picks (148th and 150th overall) and a sixth-round selection (186th overall).
