The Next Henry Melton? Latest Bears Rookie Signing Has That Vibe

Henry Melton is one of the bigger success stories in recent Chicago Bears draft memory. The guy started out as a running back in college. Midway through, his coaches shifted him over to defensive end. After a down junior year, he had four sacks as a senior, demonstrating solid progress. The Bears took enough notice in 2009 to make him their 4th round pick. However, they had a surprise for him when he arrived in Chicago. He wouldn't be playing defensive end. They wanted him to switch positions again, this time to defensive tackle. It took a year of work, but by his second season, he had seven sacks and was a true three-technique.

Perhaps the Bears envision the same thing from D'Anthony Jones. Rookie minicamps concluded this week. Head coach Matt Eberflus and GM Ryan Poles evaluated several tryout players during the practices. Four of them stood out, earning contracts with the team. The last of them might be the most intriguing. That is D'Anthony Jones, a defensive end out of Houston. That might seem odd at first glance. Jones is only 6'2, which is short for a 4-3 defensive end.

Then you're reminded Melton was 6'3, 270 lbs coming out of Texas. So Jones is almost exactly the same size. He's also productive with 14 sacks and 22 tackles for a loss over his final two years.

The Bears likely want to see if Jones can mirror Henry Melton.

When watching him on tape, it's clear the undrafted rookie has some juice. His closing speed is impressive, and he has a knack for playing with good leverage. His motor is consistent. He doesn't give up on plays. His strength is also above average for his overall size. The big questions with him center around his pass rush technique, which is still in the developmental stage. It's also about whether he has enough quickness to handle a move inside. That was the thing about Henry Melton. His athletic testing showed the upside.

Jones is more of a mystery. His production shows the capability is there. What the Bears don't know is whether he can handle the transition. It's not easy. He'll have to add more weight, all without losing his closing burst. The good news is that he's not under immediate pressure to contribute. The Bears drafted three defensive tackles in Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens, and Travis Bell. All have the capabilities they're looking for. Jones can play for a practice squad spot for the time being. However, his natural ability makes one think he is another Melton experiment.