Velus Jones Jr.: A Sleeping Giant on Special Teams?
The Return Specialist Could Be Due For a Sophomore Surge
It was a tough rookie season for the Chicago Bears’ Velus Jones Jr. The wide receiver and kick returner got hurt to start the year then muffed a punt in his debut, which would not be his last. By season’s end, he got benched. Heading to this season, special teams coordinator Richard Hightower had high praise for the sophomore who appears much improved.
Velus Jones Jr. in 2023
Bouncing Back in a Big Way
The Bears used a third-round pick to draft Velus Jones Jr. in the 2022 NFL Draft. After four seasons at USC, he transferred to Tennessee and broke out as both a wide receiver and return specialist. In his final season, he compiled 807 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in scrimmage and 900 return yards and a touchdown in special teams.
But a hamstring injury kept Jones sidelined for the Bears’ first three games. In his first game back, he fumbled a punt, which the Giants recovered. Two weeks later, he muffed another punt, which led to the Commanders’ only touchdown. Hightower had seen enough and took him off returning duties.
Maybe it was rust or nervousness, but Jones was not himself in his rookie year. The Bears know they have a gem in him, hence why they spent a valuable pick to take him. And Jones can reward the team for its faith in him.
Velus Jones Jr.’s Player Profile & Stats
Jones is widely considered a “high ceiling” special teams returner. He also has the potential as a specialist type of returner as a “gunner”. His strengths include his strength, speed, and ability to gain yards after catching the ball. He is currently slated as a backup receiver to Chase Claypool. Given Claypool’s recent struggles, there is a chance for Jones to have more snaps.
2022 Stats
Velus Jones Jr. only played parts of the 2022 season due to being injured and then being benched. Still, he showed flashes of what he could do.
PUNT RETURNS:
- RT: 5
- YDS: 35
- TD: 0
- LNG: 19
- Y/RT: 7.0
KICK RETURNS:
- RT: 22
- YDS: 607
- TD: 0
- LNG: 63
- Y/RT: 27.6
RECEIVING:
- TGT: 14
- REC: 7
- YDS: 107
- Y/R: 15.3
- TD: 1
- 1D: 4
- LNG: 44
- Y/G: 8.9
- CTCH%: 50%
Jones will make Chicago more versatile on the NFL betting lines if he can contribute as both a receiver and kick returner. At 26, he is already mature for a new player and he appears to have put behind his poor rookie season.
The Best Returner Since Devin Hester?
This may be setting such a high bar, but there is a chance for Jones to be Chicago’s best return specialist since the great Devin Hester. The NFL’s greatest returner spent seven seasons in Chicago and holds numerous records including 34 total return touchdowns – 20 as a kick return and 14 from a punt return.
If Jones produces even a fraction of Hester’s success, new kickoff return rules and all, bank on the Bears’ NFL scores and odds to trend.
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