Are we sold on Braxton Jones?

[gobullschi]

It’s an excellent question. I would first target Orlando Brown Jr., although he’s likely to get tagged if an extension can’t be agreed to.

Otherwise, I would keep Braxton Jones at LT and see if he continues to develop. He’s out performing the tackles taken ahead of him. Poles knows offensive line, so I suspect he will make the right calls to fix the line.

 

[sevvy]

He's one of the better zone blocking LTs in the league, he has very good lateral movement for the position. He gets dominated by competent bull rushes, even when he doesnt lose his block he gives up a bunch of "back pressures" where he gets walked into the pocket/QB although he does often sustain his block while getting pushed back. You can teach/develop strength and technique, things like footspeed/being able to stay in front of NFL DEs usually cant be picked up.

He does need to improve significantly in pass protection but its in areas where you expect tackles to grow. Theres the potential for him to develop into a very valuable player, and one who synergizes with Fields skill set, Bears would be foolish to give up on his development this early into it.

While I agree with this assessment, if we had a chance to get better at LT, I would have no issue with them moving Jones to RT.

He definitely has potential, but he has also been a liability at times. We need to start thinking about having a dominant oline, not just a serviceable one. I'm hoping Poles is leaning in that direction.

 

[SugarWalls]

It’s an excellent question. I would first target Orlando Brown Jr., although he’s likely to get tagged if an extension can’t be agreed to.

Otherwise, I would keep Braxton Jones at LT and see if he continues to develop. He’s out performing the tackles taken ahead of him. Poles knows offensive line, so I suspect he will make the right calls to fix the line.

Is there actually any evidence of this though? Particularly when it comes to pass blocking? I have seen multiple posters around here say something like this, but I think this is something most Bears fans are just pulling out of their asses.

Edit:

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[FozzyBear]

Eye test... Seems better than a young Leno, with a higher Ceiling. BUT brane is shot and cant remember young Leno vs old Leno all that much..

 

[dreadpirateroberts]

While I agree with this assessment, if we had a chance to get better at LT, I would have no issue with them moving Jones to RT.

He definitely has potential, but he has also been a liability at times. We need to start thinking about having a dominant oline, not just a serviceable one. I'm hoping Poles is leaning in that direction.

I agree. Jones has shown some potential. He still has ways to go in pass pro. Should it guarantee him a starting spot next year? I don’t think so.

If Olu Fashanu is on the board when we pick, it would be extremely hard to pass on him. Not even 20 yet and is already a smooth pass protector. I’m a big fan.

 

[vabearsfan15]

Not sure if he is the longterm answer at LT right now. He has been solid enough for good stretches, but had some rough games as well. Commanders game and blocking Mattgew Judon on Parriots were are two games that come to mind.

Either way, it shouldn't stop the Bears from pursuing a highly graded T if one hits the market. We can always move Braxton to the right side and have him backup LT. Not bad for a 5th rd pick.

 

[ZOMBIE@CTESPN]

I see potential in jones that I absolutely don’t see in borom. I think he’s earned another year tops to make improvements especially with better olinemen at the other spots

 

[msadows]

I'm in the No camp.

He's not terrible, but he's been terrible at times. I expect him to improve considerably the next 7 games otherwise take a tackle in the first if skoronski is there.

Wouldn't actually mind seeing how braxton would look on the right side. He's surprisingly been very solid in the run game.

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

He struggles against good edge rushers but is phenomenal Run blocker. I like his ceiling as a developmental player. We need a real LT.

 

[msadows]

He struggles against good edge rushers but is phenomenal Run blocker. I like his ceiling as a developmental player. We need a real LT.

So....hear me out....why not flip him to RT?

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

So....hear me out....why not flip him to RT?

No, I agree i don’t think he was ready this year for LT.

 

[JoJoBoxer]

While I agree with this assessment, if we had a chance to get better at LT, I would have no issue with them moving Jones to RT.

He definitely has potential, but he has also been a liability at times. We need to start thinking about having a dominant oline, not just a serviceable one. I'm hoping Poles is leaning in that direction.

This post is in general, not going after you.

He needs to work on his strength—especially in his lower half—but he has the tools to develop into a top-tier tackle.

This quote was not about Braxton Jones. It came from Draft Network's latest mock draft and, more specifically, the player mocked to the Bears at pick #6.

6. Chicago Bears​

Paris Johnson Jr. OT, Ohio State​

Justin Fields is playing lights out but he needs help in a big way. Enter Paris Johnson Jr. Johnson Jr. began the year as a potential OT1 candidate and he has certainly made a strong claim to that title with his play this year. He is athletic with very good size and flexibility. He possesses agile feet to mirror in pass protection and very good balance and coordination working to the second level in the run game. He needs to work on his strength—especially in his lower half—but he has the tools to develop into a top-tier tackle.

The point is not that Draft Network's OT ranking is spot on nor is it that the Bears will take this specific player or any of the top OTs, but rather it is that this one top ranked OT by Draft Network has the same positive and negative characteristics that this potential first rounder will has as his tools and areas that need to be addressed.

Chances are Paris is going to need an offseason after his rookie season to work on his lower body strength to reach his potential.

Shouldn't Braxton get the same chance to get stronger before he is called a backup or moved to RT or considered just serviceable?

 

[run and shoot]

Curious where the board is at on Braxton Jones as a long term solution after 10 games? I've seen a mixed bag of support. As far as a rookie mid round draft pick he's been serviceable, but I am not sold the Bears should be penciling him in as the starter moving forward. Should Poles be in a position to sign a LT in free agency or draft one high (first round), I think he should highly consider it.

Should one not be available in FA or high in the draft, I'm not opposed to him continuing to start in '23 assuming Poles fixes the other holes on the OL. With Braxton, I just envision this scenario where it's like Charles Leno all over. Just average enough to never actually invest in the position but will be exposed against experienced pass rushers. I want to see Poles finally invest in a solid OL, which the Bears have never really done and not just settle for average.

I want to see competition at the LT position

 

[Myk]

Shouldn't Braxton get the same chance to get stronger before he is called a backup or moved to RT or considered just serviceable?

Will there be any good OT's when we're picking in the 2024 or 2025 drafts? What place are you predicting we draft then?

This is why I was against loading up the oline with late rounds. I knew it would be just like J'Taco, Leno and Massie. No upgrades ever allowed, we need defense more than we need to give the QB a fighting chance. It's OK that they're getting pushed into and tackling our own QB, anyone can play oline.

The only thing that would keep him from getting stronger or slot him to being a backup is Poles does the usual GM thing and requires his high picks to be starters even if there are better options. Probably would happen but we don't know that yet. He could also claim his 5th rounder is a GOAT and want him to be starter.

 

[SugarWalls]

The point is not that Draft Network's OT ranking is spot on nor is it that the Bears will take this specific player or any of the top OTs, but rather it is that this one top ranked OT by Draft Network has the same positive and negative characteristics that this potential first rounder will has as his tools and areas that need to be addressed.

Chances are Paris is going to need an offseason after his rookie season to work on his lower body strength to reach his potential.

Shouldn't Braxton get the same chance to get stronger before he is called a backup or moved to RT or considered just serviceable?

Excuse me but where is this in Jones'profile?

This is also not directed at you specifically but Jones is not playing to the level of the guys drafted before him. Maybe this was true after weeks 1-2, but those players have played much better since then, and guys getting criticism, like high pick ekwonu, are playing much better. Their ceiling is also higher.

Braxton Jones Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

www.nfl.com

"He has the upside to become an average starting left tackle, but swing tackle feels like the safer projection."

This is currently what I see. He is not a top 20 LT at this point. He has potential upside to work to average, but is this what you want from one of the most important positions on your offense, a guy with potential to be average? Maybe we should expect that from QB etc ....

 

[r1terrell23]

Not sure just yet if he is the answer. I need to see better from him in the passing game before I am confident he can hold that side down. That is Fields blindside, so average isn't good enough.

 

[bamainatlanta]

Sold is too strong a word at this point.

But I’m fine with giving him another season to develop and spending resources on our other needs including:

WR
Center
Right Tackle
DE
DT
LB
CB
Water boy

It’s as if the roster has a lot of talent deficiencies

 

[The Hawk]

It’s an excellent question. I would first target Orlando Brown Jr., although he’s likely to get tagged if an extension can’t be agreed to.

Otherwise, I would keep Braxton Jones at LT and see if he continues to develop. He’s out performing the tackles taken ahead of him. Poles knows offensive line, so I suspect he will make the right calls to fix the line.

I believe that they need a starting LT or RT with the other tackle being Jones. Jones played mostly right tackle in college and he could possibly be better at RT than LT. But they do need an offensive tackle for sure. And certainly, they need a good CENTER, please.

 

[Anytime23]

This is a great question and thread OP. Thank you for once again bringing quality discourse to CCS.

and no, i am not sold. He has 7 games to improve in pass pro. Would like to see him at RT next season. I hope my guy Brax is a long time member of the Chicago Bears!
CC: @Dejo

 

[Dejo]

This is a great question and thread OP. Thank you for once again bringing quality discourse to CCS.

and no, i am not sold. He has 7 games to improve in pass pro. Would like to see him at RT next season. I hope my guy Brax is a long time member of the Chicago Bears!
CC: @Dejo

That run blocking tho ?