5. Christian Jones, ILB
Jones has had a very nice season in a Bears’ uniform. He’s one of the few guys that has survived from the Phil Emery era and he has steadily improved over the last couple seasons. Jones has transitioned from a 4-3 OLB to a 3-4 ILB and it took some time but he’s gotten the hang of the job quite well.
Jones cannot call plays, so when he’s in the game, that job will have to go to another defender, but he has proven to be a capable player in the middle of the Bears’ defense. Odds are the Bears’ will part ways with Jerrell Freeman and have Danny Trevathan and Nick Kwiatkoski start at ILB. They will need a solid sub who can also play special teams and Jones fits the bill. Pace would be smart to lock him down with a 2-year deal.