Chicago Bears Draft: The case for Broderick Jones in the first round

Georgia offensive lineman Broderick Jones is a possible option at No. 9 in the first round.

Broderick Jones has the physical traits that Ryan Poles likes and comes with probably the biggest upside at tackle among the draft prospects. Jones is a wrecking ball that blocks with great force.

Pro Football Focus and Fox Sports have him ranked as the fifth-best draft prospect at tackle. Dane Brugler of the Athletic has Jones as the second-best offensive tackle in the draft.

His upside and athleticism are two things that could have him ranked high on the Chicago Bears’ draft board.

He posted a 4.97 40-yard dash at the combine and a nine-foot broad jump. His arms measured 34 and three-quarters inches along with ten and five-eighths-sized hands.

Jones started 19 games at left tackle during his career at Georgia. He allowed just two sacks, three quarterback hits, and 12 QB hurries while with the Bulldogs. What is more impressive was he had just two false start penalties in his career and was never called for holding.

Broderick Jones started the last four games of the 2021 season. Talk about being thrown into the fire. He had to face Alabama’s Will Anderson twice in the SEC Championship and National Championship Game and Michigan’s Aiden Hutchinson during the College Football Playoff semifinal.

Hutchinson was the top edge rushing prospect in last year’s draft and Anderson is this year’s top edge rusher. Jones held his own in those battles with Hutchinson and Anderson.

Jones did not allow a sack at all last season. Pretty good considering he was facing SEC pass rushers. Auburn, Tennessee, Florida, Missouri, and LSU are all going to have edge rushers drafted. Plus, he also had to face Georgia’s outstanding defensive line in practice.

Jones is explosive off the snap and is fast for a man of his size. Those are traits needed in the Chicago Bears’ zone-blocking scheme.

To top it off, he is a champion as he was a part of two national championships at Georgia. The Bulldogs have sent his predecessors to the NFL in Wynn, Andrew Thomas, and Jamaree Slayer.