Velus Jones Jr. will be given every chance to have a productive rookie season for the Chicago Bears in 2022. The third-round pick from Tennessee offers an electrifying skill set for offensive coordinator Luke Getsy to utilize, and with the Bears' lack of established veteran wide receivers, Jones could become a gem in his first year in the league.
There isn't a lot not to like about Jones entering this season. Most critics point to his advanced age -- he's a 25-year-old rookie -- as a factor working against him. It's true that college prospects who breakout at an older age aren't always safe picks, but Jones is in a unique situation. He's going to play right away in Chicago. The fact Jones is already in his mid-20s sort of tracks with where a player of his age should be who will have his responsibilities in 2022.
"It is a benefit because I'm coming in with maturity," Jones said after the 2022 NFL Draft. "I'm all about my business. I was young, but now that I'm older, I realize what's at stake, and this is the best job in the world."
Velus Jones Jr."s big plays should pay dividends in 2022
Perhaps, it's unfair to have such high expectations for Jones this year. He was a third-round pick, after all. And he was considered by many draft experts to be a reach at No. 71 overall. The fact the Bears didn't add any big-name wide receivers in free agency or spend a second-round pick on a pass-catcher has ratcheted up the pressure on Jones. But in a traditional year, third-round receivers wouldn't have the expectations Jones is beginning his career with.
Once training camp begins, it won't matter what round a rookie was selected in. It'll come down to making plays. It's especially true for Jones, who could go from third-round reach to rookie standout by season's end.
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