No. 25 Velus Jones Jr.

It’s not hyperbole to say that this is a make-or-break season for Jones. Not just with the Bears, but possibly for his NFL future. The speedster out of Tennessee hasn’t panned out like many had hoped when he was general manager Ryan Poles’ first offensive draft selection. Taking advantage of these new kickoff rules could mean big things for the Bears—and Jones himself, though. 

Think of someone like Cordarrelle Patterson, a player who never truly panned out as a consistent offensive threat, but he did make his mark on special teams, and that was with the old kickoff rules. Jones already has a similar style to his and could emulate his production at some point. There is still time for Jones to find his role, but it’s running out quickly. He will also need to contend with other players such as DeAndre Carter and Dante Pettis, both of whom have experience as returners. Jones has the inside track, however, and his success as a kick returner could change games for the Bears.