Chicago Bears: 3 biggest losers following 2023 NFL Draft

Velus Jones Jr.

Velus Jones Jr. is falling down the Chicago Bears WR depth chart.

Velus Jones Jr. is somehow the youngest player on this list. The second-year wide receiver battled through injury and a fumbling problem during his rookie season. Despite the struggles, Jones was a quality kick returner who started to catch stride as a receiver late in the season.

Unfortunately for Jones, the wide receiver room was completely remodeled this offseason. Star wideout D.J. Moore was acquired in a pre-draft trade.

Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney are both healthy and in the midst of the final year of their contracts. But most importantly, the Bears went out and drafted University of Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Scott in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

After the recent Moore and Claypool trades, the wide receiver wasn’t necessarily a position of need for the Bears. This didn’t stop Ryan Poles from selecting the speedy wideout. Scott is a real downfield threat that is going to be used to take the top off of NFL defenses.

Jones was used sparingly in this role late last season but with the addition of Scott, any offensive snaps Jones was planning to get might be gone.

Velus will likely still see work as the starting kick returner this upcoming season but any offensive snaps will now have to be earned during camp.