When Ryan Poles, a former executive director of player personnel for the Chiefs, was appointed general manager of the Bears in January 2022, a new era in Chicago Bears football began. Poles has tried a number of strategies to try to strengthen the Bears team at every position during his tenure in Chicago. Poles, like other general managers, has taken decisions that will be praised and criticized. Both of which are fully justified. The largest move made by Ryan Poles was giving Carolina the #1 overall pick in 2023 in exchange for many draft picks and wide receiver D.J. Moore.
The fact that the Panthers’ first-round selection turned out to be the 2024 first-overall selection further enhanced public opinion of the trade. Even if D.J. Moore is a fantastic wide receiver, Poles hasn’t been able to find a successful player at the position of his own choice.
Although Poles’ career with Chicago is still relatively new, his overall performance at wide receiver has been unimpressive thus far. Bears of Chicago
During the 2022 NFL Draft, Velus Jones Jr. was selected in the third round. He was praised for being a speedy prospect with ease of football tracking, although he excels on special teams. He has primarily been that for Chicago. The Tennessee product had trouble with turnovers in the beginning, but he has since improved. In his brief career, Jones Jr. has only accrued 127 receiving yards and 154 rushing yards.
Special teams now have a higher number of members. He has averaged 27.4 yards per return and 521 return yards per season. According to the NFL website, Jones Jr. placed fifth in kick return yards this season and ninth in returns with 16.
Regarded as a receiver, Jones Jr. has performed much below expectations for a third-round selection. As a returner, though, the value is there.
