Chicago Bears’ Surprise Biggest NFL Draft Winner Revealed

For general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears, the top-10 selections were a dream scenario.

After all, Poles and the Bears emerged from night one of the draft with a generational quarterback prospect, with Caleb Williams chosen No. 1 overall, and rounded back pairing an elite weapon for Williams in wide receiver Rome Odunze at No. 9.

Meanwhile, one of the biggest winners of the Bears’ draft was already on the roster.

Why Chicago Bears’ Braxton Jones is a Big NFL Draft Winner

The Bears have created a soft landing for Williams by dropping him into an offense that includes electrifying receiver trio Keenan Allen, D.J. Moore, and Odunze along with slashing running back D’Andre Swift alongside him in the backfield.

Turns out, after not taking an offensive tackle until choosing Kiran Amegadjie, from Yale, until Round 3, Jones is a big part of Williams’ soft landing.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell put together a list of the biggest post-draft winners around the league, with Jones making the cut.

“Passing on top tackles Olu Fashanu and Amarius Mims at No. 9,” Barnwell writes. “Seems to keep the door open at left tackle for Jones, who has battled bravely since being drafted in the fifth round in 2022. Most teams won’t countenance playing such an unheralded player on the blindside of their quarterback, but the Bears really had no choice in 2022. Jones missed six games last season but he apparently did enough to earn the starting job again in 2024.

“With quarterback Caleb Williams in the fold, the stakes are higher. GM Ryan Poles used a third-round pick on tackle Kiran Amegadjie, but the 22-year-old is seen as a project who probably won’t be ready to start as a rookie. Jones is eligible for an extension in 2025, so if he holds down the fort and protects Williams this season, he should be in line to get paid north of $20 million per year on his next deal, either by the Bears or another team.”

Last season, as Pro Football Focus points out, Jones allowed just two sacks and two quarterback hits en route to a 68 overall grade from the outlet.

An ascending talent at offensive tackle, Jones appears to have a bright future as a key piece of an overhauled Bears offense.