Chicago Bears Possible Undrafted Target: EDGE Ja’Von Rolland-Jones

The undrafted free agent watch continues here as the Chicago Bears prepare their lost list of possible names to pursue once the draft ends.

One position they’re almost certain to be active at is outside linebacker, or edge rusher if you prefer. GM Ryan Pace has done good work so far in the 2018 off-season, but his handling of that area on defense deserves some criticism. In truth, he just hasn’t done the best job building it since he took over in 2015. Every single one of his notable additions has encountered health problems.

Pernell McPhee had knee and shoulder issues since he arrived that same year. Leonard Floyd had two concussions in 2016 and then tore up his knee last year. Even guys he decided to keep around like Willie Young and Lamarr Houston couldn’t stay on the field. Is that Pace’s fault? Not entirely, but it reflects an inability by him to identify rushers who can actually stay on the field.

Now McPhee, Young, and Houston are all gone. Floyd is an unknown quantity. Even new free agent addition Aaron Lynch comes with question marks. So smart money says they will be adding a lot of help there, from the start of the draft to right after it. Who is one name that could be on their radar?

Ja’Von Rolland-Jones would come with loads of accomplishment

The first thing people would point out with Arkansas State edge rusher Ja’Von Rolland-Jones was his ridiculous productivity in college. Across four years he put up a staggering 42 sacks including 13 in each of his final two seasons. On top of that, he had 62 tackles for a loss and forced 10 fumbles. There was just no stopping him from finding a way into the backfield. One would think this might get him a little more respect in the draft community.

Not so much. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com sees him as a likely 7th round pick or priority free agent. So why is this? Why would somebody who so thoroughly dominated to that level be so dismissed? Well, it comes down to two key factors:  he’s undersized and delivered poor athletic numbers during the pre-draft.

Rolland-Jones is 6’2″, 251 lbs at last estimates. That’s too small for a defensive end and barely enough for a 3-4 outside linebacker. Then he delivered some ugly numbers at the scouting combine and pro day. He ran an average 4.88 in the 40-yard dash and reportedly jumped just 27.5 inches in the vertical. Not explosive numbers by any stretch.

So why should the Bears have interest?

Notably, because measured numbers can lie. Look no further than Derek Barnett. The 2017 first round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles also had a forgettable pre-draft. He ran a 4.88 in the 40 and jumped just 31 inches in the vertical. He’s only an inch taller and a few pounds heavier than Rolland-Jones. His big selling point? Huge production. Barnett finished his career at Tennessee with 33 sacks. The key difference is he did that in the SEC. Rolland-Jones did his in a weaker conference. Barnett finished his rookie year with six sacks including one in the playoffs.

Next: Chicago Bears 2018 Mock Draft: Lowering the Iron Curtain

Rolland-Jones couldn’t have done much more to prove that he has pass rush prowess. Despite the numbers, he showed a knack for playing in a two-point stance and shows more speed on tape than he does on the watch. His hand technique is already advanced and he can bend the edge well. He’s not the biggest or strongest but there is value to be had in securing his services.