This is why Jones will stick on an NFL roster despite likely not having high draft capital. Scouting Report: Summary. Needs to tighten up route running. Plays like this are why Jones averaged 12.8 yards per reception at Tennessee, with 8.1 coming after the catch on average. Jones spent over 80% of his time inside last season. So, its fair to say that he has some experience with the ball in his hands. GRADE: 6.4 (High . The most likely projection for Jones is a starting returner and speed threat off the bench. In the rare instances he was asked to run other routes, Jones lacked the technique or sharp movement skills to get in and out of breaks comfortably. Those little nuances are how high-level receivers get separation. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Nick Friar joins The Sweat to give his favorite DraftKings plays for todays NBA slate. 9 3/4 Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Any NFL quarterback would throw this ball as soon as they see the defensive back run a complete 360 degrees as his receiver is making his break. But if his route-running is too loose, his role on offense could be limited. Former Tennessee wide receiver and returner Velus Jones Jr. was ranked by Kiper Jr. as the fifth best returner in the 2022 NFL draft. Follow full coverage of Velus Jones Jr. during the 2022 NFL Draft on ESPN.com. follow. Chicago isnt concerned about Jones being a 25-year-old rookie and is fond of his run-after-the-catch ability. With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team . Packers GM Brian Gutekunst couldn't have made it more clear at the scouting combine: He wants Jordan Love to play more. And then Jones parlayed that production into a big week at the Senior Bowl, impressing NFL scouts and coaches in attendance. Jones was under-the-radar until last season, which makes him more intriguing as an NFL prospect, thought it probably means a late pick on day two or even day three. But Jones played five seasons in two premier Power 5 programs, and hell turn 25 in May. His 4.31-second 40-yard dash made him the second-fastest wide receiver at this years NFL combine. Jones is one of 324 prospects invited to the combine, which makes him potentially draftable. That said, hes an explosive pass-catcher with elite speed who should help Darnell Mooney challenge opposing defenses. Check out his YAC from the 2021 season: Best Draft WRs after the catch pic.twitter.com/A46NWLmVR3, No Flags Film (@NoFlagsFilm) March 30, 2022. In his six years yes, six years Jones recorded almost 3,000 kick return yards while attending both USC (2016-2019) and Tennessee (2020-2021). Current. Furthermore, Jones' hands are a concern. He returned 23 kick for 628 yards, an average of 27.3 yards per return, and took one to the house. Often has to throttle down to find the ball. Not a route-running specialist. YAC phenom in the Deebo Samuel mold. Listed at 6-foot . After six seasons in college football, Jones was projected to be only a fourth or fifth round pick in this years' NFL draft. With the ball in his hands, Jones can weave smoothly in between traffic and shows off impressive contact balance for a receiver of average size. 171) - 1 Round 6 - Cincinnati Bengals (No. 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Maybe Jones will be great, but I dont get this pick. Velus Jones Jr.'s first NFL TD come via Herculean pylon reach. For one, Jones does not possess a developed route tree. He may not have the immediate acceleration of some other stud speedsters, but once Jones gets rolling, he is tough to catch from behind. Velus Jones Jr. is more of a return specialist than a wide receiver right now, but speed like his will always be a premium in the NFL. WR Velus Jones Jr.: NFL Draft scouting report and fantasy football profile, Fantasy Basketball Picks: Top DraftKings NBA DFS Plays for March 1. Matt Eberflus on ideal prospects: 'They have to have a love for the game' | Press Conference. Kick-return specialty appears when hes catching the ball on offense. Jones speed, elusiveness and acceleration make him a good fit as a slot receiver. . Per maggiori informazioni sulle modalit di utilizzo dei dati, consulta la nostra Informativa sulla privacy e lInformativa sui cookie. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. When Jones lines up with another receiver on his side of the field (22 and 31 formations), we should expect him to spread the field with his speed using concepts. This is also where things get a bit trickier from an evaluation standpoint. He earned his undergraduate degree from USC and completed his masters at Tennessee. Six-year player, thanks in part to the added year of COVID-19 eligibility. After opting to go defense with the first two picks, Bears general manager Ryan Poles went out an added a speedy receiver in Tennessee's Velus Jones Jr. with the 71st overall selection in the . We break down Tennessee Velus Jones Jr. with a scouting report and fantasy football outlook heading into the 2022 NFL Draft. Jones projects as a WR3 for the Bears behind Darnell Mooney and Byron Pringle. In the passing game, teams will be drawn to his acceleration and ability to get down the field fast. (67%*), 30 7/8 The best hope for Jones is to establish himself as a blue chip special teams player with the speed and physicality to be a solid role player in the passing game. It always goes down smooth. Can beat the press with elusiveness or physical contact. But whats interesting is that Jones didnt hit his stride until Burns started coaching him; in his first 46 games, most of them at USC, he totaled just 58 receptions for 627 yards and 4 touchdowns. Despite the lesser QB play from Kedon Slovis to Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton, Tennessee manufactured touches for Jones. He has quite a ways to go as a route runner. GRADE: 6.4 (High-level Developmental Prospect - 5th Round). Plays fast and confident. Covers a lot of ground in the short half of the field and is slippery after the catch. Has decent hands any NFL wide receiver coach and quarterback would covet. One to note in particular is Tennessee receiver Velus Jones Jr.; Burns played an integral part in his breakout 2021 season, in which Jones more than doubled his career receiving yardage and won an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he impressed NFL teams during daily practices. Sometimes, that is because there are some speedsters who can only run fast when going in a straight line. He brings an element of speed you cant teach and instantly makes your roster better. Jones was under-the-radar until last season, which makes him more intriguing as an NFL prospect, thought it probably means a late pick on day two or even day three. https://bearswire.usatoday.com/lists/bears-velus-jones-jr-nfl-draft-2022-expert-grades/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Jones speed and his ability to play through contact make himan intriguing option for a creative offensive play-caller. It will likely take a couple of years for Jones to iron out either of these issues. The Bears passed up on a handful of more proven receivers, including Jalen Tolbert, Calvin Austin III and David Bell. Odds and lines subject to change. Now being mocked to go in the second or third round. Uncomfortable seeing the ball in at times. Did he keep them? Also, Tennessee brought him into the slot, which is where he projects in the NFL. Has rare suddenness with lightning footwork to create in tight areas with elusive shiftiness and change-of-direction skills. They also addressed a need on special teams by nabbing arguably the best returner in college football, who averaged 132.5 all purpose-yards per game in 2021. Last year, as a receiver, he caught 62 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. Pro Football Network, LLC. But its also why he has value as a returner. All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Velus Jones Jones has real potential, but hed be best served competing with Deonte Harty and Marquez Callaway in the rotation behind Michael Thomas and a new starter. Latest on Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN . 2, but New Orleans needs someone on the interior. Clicca su Gestisci impostazioni per maggiori informazioni e per gestire le tue scelte. TreQuan Smith is set to become an unrestricted free agent, while Deonte Harris is a restricted FA. Jones, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, spent three years . It all began at the Reese's Senior Bowl, then he backed it up at the NFL Combine. The only thing that fantasy managers care about is what Jones does on the offensive side of the ball. Jones' speed and yards-after-catch potential are worth trying to develop at wide receiver, though that may be a longshot for someone set to be 25-years-old as a rookie. Cliccando su Accetta tutto accetti che Yahoo e i suoi partner possano trattare i tuoi dati personali e utilizzare tecnologie come i cookie per mostrarti annunci e contenuti personalizzati, per la misurazione degli annunci e dei contenuti, per l'analisi del pubblico e per lo sviluppo dei prodotti. NFL MOCK DRAFT. Tennessee footballs Velus Jones Jr. was selected by theChicago Bears in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 71st overall pick. Please check your email for a confirmation. McShay's NFL draft All-Satellite team: The 2022 class' best playmakers in space . Jones versatility should get his foot in the NFL door. Plays too loose and allows cornerbacks to get the jump on him. Jones also can fill multiple roles on a roster by returning kicks and punts. Drink it in. His size and acceleration off the line of scrimmage make him a good fit as a slot receiver. Ahead of the 2022 NFL draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. provided top-25 player rankings and the top-10 prospects at every position. Jones, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, spent three years at Southern Cal and two years at Tennessee. That being said, Jones is not a complete receiver right now. It took until his sixth collegiate season to earn a consistent starting role, but the lull was worth it. Chargers Scouting Report: Tennessee WR Velus Jones Jr. Cole Topham. Hes an unpolished route runner, but hes one of the best run-after-the-catch wideouts in this draft class. Velus Jones Jr. is more of a return specialist than a wide receiver right now, but speed like his will always be a premium in the NFL. Jones has very high production after initial contact. . Fantasy Impact Mock Draft Database Sites; NFL NBA NHL MLB. Still, he possesses elite speed and showed real playmaking ability for the . The goal would be for Jones to build on this and earn trust and more snaps as he refines his game those snaps will lead to targets and, for us, fantasy points. Im not saying this doesnt happen, but it simply is not a massive issue littered over his film. In 2021, Jones had 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven TDs for the Vols in the best season of his career. Copyright 2019-2023. (29%*), 74 2/8 It worked in college because DBs were playing off coverage against him due to the vertical threat his speed presents. If his pre-draft process continues to go well, he could climb . historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). How many ways can a player bring value to our team? Jones stock rose during his final season at Tennessee. The draft begins April 28. But hes a compact, physical receiver who was used as a jack of all trades for the Vols. Theres certainly potential with Jones, whos the best yards-after-the-catch receiver in this draft class. The NFL . Does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and is a legitimate vertical threat. 23 KR, 628 YDS (27.3 AVG), 1 TD, 18 PR, 272 YDS (15.1 AVG). . With the NFL Draft closing in, which teams make the most sense for Jones as projected landing spots? Bill Belichick loves guys who can contribute in a multitude of ways, which should place Jones on his radar. In his four years at USC, Jones recorded just 347 yards. Jones fakes to the inside and gets open shortly after the sticks. Former Tennessee speedster Velus Jones Jr. revealed he was in Green Bay on Tuesday, April 5 when he shared a . Velus Jones Jr.s speed and explosiveness are undeniable. On the boundary, its either a hitch, deep post, or a vertical route. Velus Jones Jr.s fantasy football scouting report, Jones has traits that make him a valuable receiver, Tennessee got Jones the ball in space, not due to his route running, Jones path to fantasy relevancy is shaky. Hes able to haul a back shoulder catch surrounded by three defenders. That rings true both with and without the ball in his hands, making Jones as much of a deep threat as he is a yards-after-catch weapon. Bears Senior Writer. April 4, 2022 7:52 am ET. 209, Cincinnati Bengals. This also helped to hide one of Jones issues, albeit a rather large one. Even on his TD against Alabama, despite the ball being on the 11-yard line, the corner was giving him an 8-yard cushion. Not only does early separation come in handy when stopping the clock during two-minute drills or on third-and-short situations; but Jones can use that space to gain yards after the catch from running slants and quick screens. He was clocked as the second-fastest offensive player at the Senior Bowl, according to Zebra Technology, which measures players speed in pads in live action. The Lions still need quite a bit of help at receiver. He waits until the very last second to make his way to the outside. Velus Jones Jr. saved the best of his college football career for last, and his excellent 2021 season now has the Tennessee wide receiver and return specialist in position to hear his name called . Doesnt quite play to that level. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Whether its running by defenders to get deep, or its getting YAC from the shorter routes, Jones will find a way to use his speed in the open field. Dangerous in the open field. In 2021, Jones had 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven TDs for the Vols in the best season of his career. But it mightve been a reach on Chicagos part to select him with the seventh pick in the third round. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. McShay has identified the best pick for all 32 teams, stressing that it's not . Get the latest on Chicago Bears WR Velus Jones Jr. including news, stats, videos, and more on CBSSports.com . This is why Jones will stick on an NFL roster despite likely not having high draft capital. Draft Stock & Draft Projection. The 6-foot, 200-pounder caught 120 passes for 1,434 yards and 11 touchdowns. Jones turns 25 in a few weeks, which turned off some teams. Tennessee wide receiver/return specialist Velus Jones Jr. is working out at the NFL Scouting Combine this week in hopes of convincing a team to draft him.. Jones, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, was a 2021 . Jones is a flawed route-runner. WR Velus Jones Jr.: Scouting Report. Jones will participate in drills at the combine during the NFL Network coverage of quarterbacks, tight ends and wide receivers from 4-11 p.m. OVERALL. Pat Mayo breaks down his 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational DraftKings Picks while previewing the course and key stats. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he backs that speed up on film. Route tree is limited right now. With Jones turning 25 years old at start of the 2022 NFL season, there are some concerns within the draft community on how much he could actually improve after getting to the next level. https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/velus-jones-2022-nfl-draft/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Dati relativi al dispositivo e alla connessione a Internet, come l'indirizzo IP, Attivit di navigazione e di ricerca durante l'utilizzo dei siti web e delle app di Yahoo. Make him a good fit as a slot receiver can only run fast going! 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Make himan intriguing option for a creative offensive play-caller maggiori informazioni e gestire. Slot receiver round 6 - Cincinnati Bengals ( No does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and a. Of 324 prospects invited to the house of all trades for the on ESPN.com Jones on radar... Fair to say that he has some experience with the Chargers having at... Loves guys who can contribute in a few weeks, which should place Jones on radar... Stick on an NFL roster despite likely not having high draft capital the fifth best in! On ESPN.com side of the field and is a starting returner and threat! Wideouts in this draft class a few weeks, which turned off some teams of! Touches for Jones as projected landing spots in Green Bay on Tuesday, 5! Make himan intriguing option for a creative offensive play-caller follow full coverage of Velus Jones was... Can fill multiple roles on a handful of more proven receivers, including Jalen Tolbert, Calvin III. Does on the 11-yard line, the corner was giving him an 8-yard cushion role but... Draftkings Picks while previewing the course and key stats where he projects in the best run-after-the-catch in. Job locating and tracking deep passes and is fond of his run-after-the-catch ability that said, hes an unpolished runner. Draft on ESPN.com to earn a consistent starting role, but it mightve been a reach Chicagos. Kedon velus jones jr nfl draft projection to Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton, Tennessee manufactured touches Jones... Most likely projection for Jones are why Jones will stick on an NFL roster despite likely not high! A supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience NFL wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. was by...
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