10 Stock Up Chicago Bears from mandatory OTAs

Chicago Bears - Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports)
Chicago Bears - Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports)
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Chicago Bears
Mar 4, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern Utah offensive lineman Braxton Jones during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

9. Braxton Jones, OT

Who is lining up with the first team, the second team, and everything else does not quite matter as much in the month of June as it does in August and onto September. Still, the fact that Braxton Jones has jumped in with the first team has to be discussed.

It has not just been an isolated occurrence here and there, either. Braxton Jones is another rookie but in the Penn State rookie, it was more expected considering his pedigree and draft status. With Braxton Jones, you are talking about a fifth-round pick from Southern Utah.

This is someone who has not typically faced NFL talent. Still, his primary competition has been Larry Borom, who went to an SEC school and is in year two, but is a fifth-round pick as well.

Still, the more surprising news may be that it is Borom pushing Teven Jenkins out on the right side in the effort to give snaps to Jones on the left.

The fact that they are moving Borom to get Jones more work has to speak to something no matter what practice sessions these are.

It is fair that the competition does not make it the most unprecedented situation, but Jones getting first-team work this early is impressive. If he can start training camp with the same momentum then all fans will have to start getting to know the young tackle.

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