This Chicago Bears’ 2022 3rd Round Pick Has Struggled So Far in the NFL.

The Chicago Bears drafted Velus Jones Jr. in the 3rd round, 71st overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. He was the 14th wide receiver taken in the draft. Jones turned 25 years old a few weeks after the draft.

Velus had a disappointing rookie season as a wide receiver.

Jones didn’t do much as a wide receiver but did a decent job returning kicks in his rookie season.

Jones missed the first three games with a hamstring injury. He returned to the lineup in Week 4 to serve as the team’s return specialist and the backup receiver to Darnell Mooney.

Jones muffed a punt with two minutes left in Week 4. He muffed another punt in the fourth quarter in Week 6. He was inactive for the next two weeks.

Jones returned to the lineup and finished the season with limited reps at wide receiver. He played in 159 snaps, equating to 15.38% of offensive snaps.

Jones had seven receptions on 14 targets for 107 yards and one touchdown. He also had 103 rushing yards on nine carries and one touchdown.

Dante Pettis replaced Jones in punt return duties, but Jones remained the kick returner and did a good job returning kicks. Jones had 22 kick returns for 607 yards, averaging 27.6 yards per return. He finished third in kick return average and seventh in kick return yards.

Jones has struggled this season.

Jones hasn’t played well this season. He missed the season opener because he was a healthy scratch. He dropped a wide-open touchdown pass in Week 8. He had a facemask penalty in Week 9 on a punt return. He was a healthy scratch in Week 10 and 11.

Jones has appeared in 41 snaps, equating to 7% of offensive snaps.

He has three receptions for nine yards, and four carries for 22 yards.

He also has seven kick returns for 191 yards.

Can Jones turn it around?

The Chicago Bears hope Velus Jones Jr. can turn it around and become an asset for Justin Fields in the passing game. Time will tell.