LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Days before the NFL Draft began in late April, Bears general manager Ryan Poles dispatched assistant offensive line coach Austin King and a scout to Salt Lake City to get one last look at tackle prospect Braxton Jones.
The Bears were drawn to Jones, a first-team FCS All-American at Southern Utah, while scouting him at the Senior Bowl in late January. But they wanted to see it once more for themselves. It was a trip that was considered unusual that close to the draft but one that proved to be important.
“Hopefully it pays off for us,” Poles said after selecting Jones in the fifth round.
Poles and the Bears certainly don’t see Jones as just another fifth-round pick. The team had a high grade on him entering the draft and would've considered taking him even earlier in the right situation. As OTAs have progressed at Halas Hall, Jones has now earned a bigger opportunity with his new team.
The Bears on Wednesday continued to shuffle their offensive line by moving second-year pro Larry Borom back to right tackle after he had primarily worked at left tackle this offseason. Teven Jenkins, a second-round pick of Chicago in 2021, was bumped from right tackle to the second-team offensive line.
The Bears were making room for Jones, whom they believe has the potential to start at left tackle. Coach Matt Eberflus has indicated that the shuffling on the offensive line will continue well into training camp as the front office and coaching staff work to evaluate their best starting combination.
New Bears offensive line coach Chris Morgan called Jones a “natural pass protector,” which is part of why he’s getting a chance with the starting offense.
“Braxton is a tough kid, very athletic,” Bears left guard Cody Whitehair said. “He's got really long arms as well. He's learning.
“As hard as that is to be thrown in the fire like that, I feel like he has responded well and I'm excited to see what he can bring.”
Morgan believes the Bears won’t solidify a starting offensive line until the preseason, at which point the team will have evaluated players in pads and at full speed. During the offseason program – during which full contact isn't permitted – the focus for offensive linemen is on understanding the proper technique and assignment on each play.
The Bears’ new regime inherited Jenkins and Borom, who as rookies in 2021 stepped into starting roles for parts of their first NFL season. Jenkins played in just six games and started twice after returning in December from back surgery. Borom played in 10 games, starting eight times, while shifting between left and right tackle.
Whether the Bears believe in Jenkins and Borom like the previous regime is unclear. But there’s growing confidence in the rookie Jones, who's the latest tackle getting a chance to step in as a starter.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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