Chicago Bears Should Make CB Sidney Jones a Specific Target in 2017 NFL Draft
The Chicago Bears need cornerback help and Sidney Jones would be a fantastic fit.
Despite their 3-13 record, the Chicago Bears have a strong overall defensive unit. However, a majority of that is thanks to their talented front seven. Their secondary as a whole is an issue.
Related Story: 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Bears Shoot for Upside with Two First Round Picks
Building a new secondary for this defense could be the key to lift the team to the next level. For that reason, a trade up back into the first round for a player like cornerback Sidney Jones from Washington could be a great idea.
The Bears need a new quarterback, but it is easy to question the value of taking any of the quarterbacks in this class at number three. That being said, it is a valuable pick that could easily generate some trade interest.
The Buffalo Bills could look for a new signal caller as they may part ways with Tyrod Taylor and the Cleveland Browns could put together an offer if they covet a quarterback after taking Myles Garrett at number one. I could also see a scenario where a team wants to come up and grab star defensive lineman Jonathan Allen.
The Bills have the 10th overall pick and the Browns have the 12th. Both teams would need to make a big jump to grab the Bears’ pick and that would demand a big offer from either franchise. We saw what desperate for quarterback teams do last year and they may do it again.
More from Chicago Bears
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
- Next Chicago Bears starting quarterback makes Bowl Game decision
- Chicago Bears appear in the hunt while on track for the first pick
- Chicago Bears: They are who we thought they were
- Chicago Bears Rumors: Kevin Warren to oversee football operations
You just never know what a team will offer to come up and land a potential franchise quarterback.
Trading back to 10 or twelve could put the Bears in a strong position to land a safety like Malik Hooker or Jamal Adams. They could then look to figure out their own quarterback situation with a guy like Pat Mahomes or Brad Kaaya in the second round. Another route could be trading back into the first round to land an elite cornerback talent.
If they can trade down in the first, picking up the necessary draft capital, trading up from the beginning of the second round to the end of the first round for Sidney Jones would be amazing for the Bears.
Jones is a 6-0, 181 pound man who has incredible natural coverage ability from the cornerback position. He had 145 tackles (8.5 for a loss), one sack, eight interceptions, one touchdown, 21 pass deflections, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in his three-year college career with the Huskies.
Jones has great coverage skills, showing the ability to shine in press coverage, off-man and in zone. He is an extremely fast and athletic player who can bait quarterbacks in to making a mistake. Jones also has exceptional ball skills that will undoubtedly play at the next level.
The only reason that he is considered a late first round pick is the extreme depth at the cornerback position in the 2017 NFL Draft. If the Chicago Bears can land him in that range, they would be pulling off a major steal.
Next: Bears Must Target OT Garrett Bolles in 2017 NFL Draft
Just the imagination to add a guy like Jones and a top safety in the first round. That would make the Chicago Bears biggest defensive weakness into a possible strength. Jones is an impact player who could make a major difference in the Bears defense.