ESPN Calls Braxton Jones One Of The Biggest Surprises Of 2022

The Chicago Bears don't have much to be happy about in 2022. That comes with being 3-11 and one of the worst teams in the league. That said, it's not like people are surprised by this. It became clear things were trending in that direction once GM Ryan Poles started gutting the roster of its veteran core. Khalil Mack, Allen Robinson, Akiem Hicks, James Daniels, Robert Quinn, and Roquan Smith were all traded, released, or allowed to leave in a span of mere months. A team doesn't lose that level of talent, experience, and leadership and immediately gets better. The hope was they'd go young and maybe some of their first draft picks ended up working out as the transition began. Enter Braxton Jones.

Poles was aware of the young left tackle out of Southern Utah going into the off-season. He liked the size and athletic profile Jones had. Then he saw the kid work at the Senior Bowl. It was enough to convince the GM he was worth drafting in the right spot. Sure enough, Chicago scooped him up in the 5th round. Initial expectations were Jones could compete for a backup spot and hopefully improve his game. A few months later, he locked down the starting left tackle job and hasn't missed a snap all season.

That would explain why ESPN has him as one of the biggest surprises of this year.

"The fifth-round pick from Southern Utah had no issue holding his own against FBS defensive linemen during the Senior Bowl, which initially caught Chicago's attention as the Bears looked to shore up protection of QB Justin Fields' blind side. Although the Bears have struggled at times in pass protection, not much of that pressure is being allowed by the left side of the O-line. Jones has taken every snap at tackle and has exceeded all expectations, turning in one of the best seasons of all rookie tackles (5 sacks, 4 hits and 24 hurries allowed) while developing into a mainstay on the Bears' offensive line."

Braxton Jones gives the Bears some stability going into 2023.

One could argue the team will seek as many as three new starters next year. Right tackle and center were already obvious for several weeks. Now left guard is becoming a serious discussion as Cody Whitehair continues to struggle. The injury concerns with Teven Jenkins are also bothersome. Jones has been the only steady presence they have. The fact he's a rookie means he should get considerably better going into next year. Remarkably, he has played so well under such difficult circumstances.

If he takes a big jump in 2023, the Bears may have their left tackle of the future locked up. The fact they found him out of nowhere in the 5th round is another reminder of how crazy the draft is. There is no telling where you might end up finding good players. Braxton Jones has all the physical tools to be great. He's also a really intelligent and mature kid. Hard work and dedication are two things he embraced long before he came to Chicago. All he requires is patience.