Chicago Bears Draft: 5 mid-round prospects to watch

Jaryd Jones-Smith, Offensive Tackle, Pittsburgh

The Bears seem to have solidified their left tackle position with Charles Leno Jr. Leno received an extension last year and will be with the Bears for three more years, at least, barring any unforeseen changes.

The right side of the line, however, could use some competition. Bobby Massie‘s second season with the Bears last year was a bit better than his first, but still not up to par with where I’d like to see the position. Giving Massie a little competition in camp might be in the Bears’ best interest, and Jaryd Jones-Smith is an intriguing prospect.

Jones-Smith has had quite the ride over his college career. In 2015, he ripped multiple ligaments in his knee. In the same injury, his tibia bone was forced onto an artery, and he could have potentially lost his leg had the doctors not been there in time. Needless to say, his sophomore season was over before it began.

Coming back to play as Pittsburgh’s sixth lineman in 2016, he was able to stay healthy. Then, in 2017, Jones-Smith was a starter at right tackle for a total of nine games.

Jones-Smith’s biggest advantage is his arm length. He does a really great job in pass protection because of his reach. At 6-foot-6, he’s taller and longer than most edge players and can keep them off his quarterback long enough in pass protection.

Run-blocking is where he will need to improve, simply because his athleticism isn’t where it should be. Jones-Smith might be a risk, but his potential to be a very good right tackle is there — a consistent option as a backup at the very least.

The offensive line market has been bad outside of the top few names in free agency over recent years, so if the Bears can find a guy like Jones-Smith in the middle rounds and he ends up panning out as a serviceable option, I wouldn’t complain.