Ranking which defensive ends won't make 53-man roster after Yannick Ngakoue signing

Ranking Chicago Bears DEs likely to be cut after Yannick Ngakoue signing

2. D'Anthony Jones

One of this year's camp darlings is defensive end, D'Anthony Jones. I have seen more fans talk about how excited they are about Jones than most other UDFAs on the roster. He has the numbers and that's what gets people excited. He also played in the Big 12, which is a decent conference, but also has some weaker competition as well. While playing the last three years for Houston, Jones racked up 15 total sacks — 8.5 came in 2021 and 13.5 came in 2022.

At 6'0" and 276 pounds, Jones actually looks more like a defensive tackle than a defensive end. (Using the Bears roster statistics vs draft profiles that have him at 6'2"). That said, his playing ability is more like an end. He doesn't have elite speed or elite size, but he has a motor that doesn't quit. His burst off the ball is above average and he keeps his pad level low when bull rushing the edge. What he lacks is counter moves and hand-fighting technique. He will need time to develop and for that reason, I don't see him making the 53-man roster. Instead, he's more likely to be placed on the practice squad.

Both Jones and Harris are unlikely to make the final roster. One or both should stick around though on the practice squad. Last season, the Chicago Bears kept eight defensive linemen — four ends and four tackles. It will be hard for one or both of these two to push for that final spot when they are currently the seventh and eighth end on the unofficial depth chart.