LAKE FOREST — The Bears added tantalizing length and athleticism to their OLB stable this offseason — and not just spending the ninth overall pick on Leonard Floyd.

Christian Jones, a 13-game starter at inside linebacker a season ago and one of Chicago's most impressive physical specimens, has a new number and a new position.

"This is a team sport and I said this before, even when I got picked up here: It's a blessing to be here and be in this building," Jones, now donning jersey No. 52 after prize free-agent ILB Danny Trevathan took No. 59, said following Wednesday's minicamp practice.

"... That's why every guy wants to play a sport — you want to win — so, like I said, if moving me and trying me in different spots will help me, I'm all for it.

After going undrafted in 2013 out of Florida State, where he spent time at 'Sam' and 'Will' 'backer, Jones played both outside spots as a rookie in Mel Tucker's 4-3. He moved inside last offseason, securing a starting role alongside Shea McClellin in Vic Fangio's 3-4 and pacing Chicago in tackles while making 13 starts. But Jones was a healthy scratch in Week 15 after Fangio called him "inconsistent."

The position switch should allow him to play faster, he said.

"I probably showcase a lot more of my ability, running and tracking down the ball and stuff like that," Jones explained.

Tackling in space, Jones said, was one of his strengths last season, though it appeared a lack of instincts worked against him. He gained experience dropping in coverage, a role he'll again be asked to do outside. The biggest difference likely will be the increase in his rush opportunities — a premium role in a passing league and potential positive for his growth, as Jones sees it.

"I think right now we have a lot of athletic guys, which is great for us," he said. "You need guys who can pass rush. Not every pass rusher, they don’t play the whole game. Everyone is rotating in, so that’s another good thing. It’s a chance for me to get snaps. I think it’s great."

But transitioning from Chicago's most-improved position to arguably its deepest, with the presence of Floyd, defensive captain Pernell McPhee, and Willie Young and Lamarr Houston, both coming off strong second halves of 2015, plus special-teamer Sam Acho, means Jones is entering a more crowded competition than he's faced in his first two NFL campaigns.

Jones has embraced the influx of defensive talent, however, and takes pride in being one of former GM Phil Emery's few defensive holdovers.

"I’m a positive person. There’s a lot of guys from last season that are not here and I’m still here," said Jones. "So that shows right there that they have faith in what I can do. ... And I know what I can do. Competition’s good for sports, man. It brings out the best in everybody. I’m excited and happy to be here and I’m ready to see where we can go."