Mocks. Pete Carroll and John Schneider knew they had to change their draft philosophy in 2022, and they explained it at the scouting combine. Draft Stock & Draft Projection. While he would start as a WR4, there is a path where Jones could see utilization quickly in Detroit. 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. Top gear can separate from anyone. Often has to throttle down to find the ball. 171) - 1 Round 6 - Cincinnati Bengals (No. Very rarely would you see him get width with his outside leg to sell a different angle and use a head/shoulder fake to get the DB to change their hips. We break down Tennessee Velus Jones Jr. with a scouting report and fantasy football outlook heading into the 2022 NFL Draft. GRADE: 6.4 (High-level Developmental Prospect - 5th Round). New Orleans has a history of going after Tennessee prospects. Jones speed, elusiveness and acceleration make him a good fit as a slot receiver. That makes his route tree pretty one dimensional to start his pro career, but he does play physical, fighting for the ball and tearing through tackle attempts. Jones may not be ready to play offense out of the gate, but he can be a team's starting kick and punt returner instantly. Runs crisp routes with sharp cuts. Void in ONT. Crazy timed speed. Velus Jones Jr. is one of the oldest prospects in the draft, and he didn't break out until his sixth season in college. In this clip below, Jones is going against an off-coverage defender with a safety over his left shoulder. 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. 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 an effective No. Finally, some help for Justin Fields. But the team missed its opportunity to find a legit target earlier in the process. There are some prospects who can run a 4.31 forty-yard dash at the NFL combine but play a lot slower in-game. In the film I was able to watch, I did not see a dropped pass. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. It all began at the Reese's Senior Bowl, then he backed it up at the NFL Combine. Throughout the game, once Jones beat several defenders deep, the defensive-backs tend to take a couple steps back pre-snap. Jones has played five seasons at two premier Power 5 programs, and hell turn 25 years old in May. Larry Mayer. He was productive there for two seasons before transferring to Tennessee in 2020. 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 . Take a shot on the speed of Jones in fantasy drafts and hope a team is patient enough to work through the growing pains at receiver. There is a path where he turns into the next Van Jefferson, as long as we see a marked improvement in his route running to get him to a similar level. Still, he possesses elite speed and showed real playmaking ability for the Vols in 2021. "By the beach," Jones said, "get away from everything and enjoy this moment with close friends and family.". Tennessee footballs Velus Jones Jr. was selected by theChicago Bears in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 71st overall pick. The Lions still need quite a bit of help at receiver. He spent three years at Southern Cal and two years at Tennessee. Bill Belichick loves guys who can contribute in a multitude of ways, which should place Jones on his radar. Jones is a flawed route-runner. YAC phenom in the Deebo Samuel mold. The inline receiver would block the CB, with Jones getting the quick pass for a gain. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he backs that speed up on film. Wide receiver was Chicagos biggest weakness ahead of the NFL draft, where Darnell Mooney and Byron Pringle were the teams top wideouts. Theres certainly potential with Jones, whos the best yards-after-the-catch receiver in this draft class. Scouting Report: Summary. His 4.31-second 40-yard dash made him the second-fastest wide receiver at this years NFL combine. (97%*), 4.51 (P)
However, USC has been loaded with WR talent, making it difficult for Jones to break through. 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 . His speed brings an element most teams are not ready for defensively. Latest on Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN . As a returner he is elite and will likely make an impact early, however, he is somewhat limited as a wide receiver where he is very raw and only really offers anything as a deep threat and as a speed threat in the screen game. He spent six years in college four at USC and two more at Tennessee. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. 9 Texas vs. No. Hes a developmental prospect at receiver, but hes certainly got an intriguing skillset to work with. One thing that cannot be ignored is his breakout season once he got into the right system. Drink it in. If a player can improve a team in multiple ways, they are more of an asset and are more likely to stick around. NFL MOCK DRAFT. Head coach Matt Eberflus addresses the media on Tuesday during the 2023 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. After six seasons in college football, Jones was projected to be only a fourth or fifth round pick in this years' NFL draft. Tennessee wide receiver/return specialistVelus Jones Jr. is working out at the NFL Scouting Combine this week in hopes of convincing a team to draft him. As I said, its a bit of a mess in the Big Easy. In 2021, Jones had 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven TDs for the Vols in the best season of his career. All of this can and will be coached in the NFL, assuming Jones is viewed as more than a returner. It takes little time for him to accelerate and stack a corner. https://bearswire.usatoday.com/lists/bears-velus-jones-jr-nfl-draft-2022-expert-grades/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Maybe Jones will be great, but I dont get this pick. How Jones projects as a wide receiver in the NFL is a bit of an unknown considering his modest offensive production throughout a college career that began in 2016 at USC and culminated in him catching 62 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns at Tennessee. 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. 2, but New Orleans needs someone on the interior. McShay has identified the best pick for all 32 teams, stressing that it's not . A very old player who will be 25 by the time he takes the field in the NFL, Has a very limited route tree and the routes he did run were often rounded, Has had very limited production as a receiver throughout his college career - with the exception of 2021, Has only really played in the slot and has very little experience out wide, Not a great catch radius and his football IQ is not as high as you would like, Runs with a weird kind of stutter-step that makes his less fluid, Only offers an impact as a gadget player and a deep threat. Ethan Wolf and Bryce Thompson are also returning for 2022 from the Saints practice squad. Sure, his speed is great. 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. Listed at 6-foot . Jones versatility should get his foot in the NFL door. This is why Jones will stick on an NFL roster despite likely not having high draft capital. Plays fast and explosive. His route tree was largely limited to go balls, screens and slants. 11 Kansas State on Wednesday, March 1, Jalen Carter charged with misdemeanors in traffic death near Georgia campus, Fantasy Basketball Picks: Top DraftKings NBA DFS Targets, Values for March 1. 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. DraftKings operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario. Uncomfortable seeing the ball in at times. But it mightve been a reach on Chicagos part to select him with the seventh pick in the third round. Jones, who will be 25 years old when the 2022 season begins, is lightning quick (4.31 40 at the combine) and will help in the return game. -Kiper, Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports): No. 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. Josh Heupel made 10 promises when he became Tennessee football coach. Clicca su Gestisci impostazioni per maggiori informazioni e per gestire le tue scelte. Smooth runner who can switch lanes with ease in space. 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. He tracks the deep ball over either shoulder and brings in passes easily. April 4, 2022 7:52 am ET. Covers a lot of ground in the short half of the field and is slippery after the catch. For fantasy, unless you play in leagues that reward return yards, it doesnt matter. Special with the ball in his hands. With Nelson Agholor as the field stretcher and NKeal Harry, well, a disappointment, Jones could work on the interior in the slot and possibly fill role Jakobi Meyers role if he leaves as a restricted free agent. With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team . The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Those little nuances are how high-level receivers get separation. He may not have the immediate acceleration of some other stud speedsters, but once Jones gets rolling, he is tough to catch from behind. . Listed at 6-foot-even and exactly 200 pounds, Jones broke out in 2021 during Burns first year at Tennessee after transferring from USC a season earlier. Old prospect whos already 25. tight end Cole Kmet and wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. speak with the media in the locker room following the Bears' Week 18 loss to . Jones played at University of Southern California for two years then transferred to the University of Tennessee in 2020. Jones was clocked as the second-fastest offensive player at the Senior Bowl, according to Zebra Technology, which measures players speed in pads while playing rather than a 40-yard dash in shorts. The NFL . 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 is one of 324 prospects invited to the combine, which makes him potentially draftable. Please check your email for a confirmation. He finished as the FBS active leader with 2,973 kick return yards in his career. 255, Los Angeles Chargers, Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News): No. And then Jones parlayed that production into a big week at the Senior Bowl, impressing NFL scouts and coaches in attendance. Did he keep them? Also, Tennessee brought him into the slot, which is where he projects in the NFL. GRADE: 6.4 (High . In the latter rounds of fantasy, where we are betting on profiles and talent, Jones makes sense as a player who will make the 53-man roster. One of their top ways to get Jones the ball was to stack him and another receiver on the far boundary. An amazing kick-punt returner who could be drafted as a special teamer. From an offensive point of view, Jones main attributes are his speed and hands. With his teammate to his left running a stick route, Jones is one-on-one with a ton of space to the outside. And if there were any questions that he only has track speed, Jones was just as fast in game situations. Off the line, as you would expect, he is lightning quick. Velus Jones Jr . He earned his undergraduate degree from USC and completed his masters at Tennessee. It took until his 2021 season at Tennessee to put it all together, recording 62 receptions for 807 yards and 7 touchdowns. Jones could fit the mold. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Tennessee football 's Velus Jones Jr. was selected by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 71st overall pick. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. TreQuan Smith is set to become an unrestricted free agent, while Deonte Harris is a restricted FA. Marquez Callaway has shown signs of being a No. Jones would fit right in for the Patriots on offense and special teams. Needs to tighten up route running. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). 71 overall . 90, Tennessee Titans, Tennessee doesnt have its second-round pick because of last years Julio Jones trade, so it could use this pick to add a playmaker for Ryan Tannehill. Follow full coverage of Velus Jones Jr. during the 2022 NFL Draft on ESPN.com. DCS chief: Tenn. has stopped housing kids in offices in all but one county, How Velus Jones' 40 time at NFL Combine may help Tennessee football WR's draft stock, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. may help give them an inside track on some prospects in the 2022 NFL draft, but one player to note in particular is Tennessee Volunteers wideout Velus Jones Jr. Jones, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, spent three years . DATABASE. In 2021, Jones had 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven TDs for the Vols in the best season of his career. What will the New Orleans Saints look like in 2022? Does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and is a legitimate vertical threat. Finally, the Chicago Bears got some wide receiver help for quarterback Justin Fields. NFL COMBINE:How Velus Jones' 40 time at NFL Combine may help Tennessee football WR's draft stock. Good effort and technique as a blocker for his size. Though he can excel at both, Jones' build-up speed and weaving rushing style make him a great fit to return kicks from Day 1. PROMISES KEPT? 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. 167) - 1 - Green Bay Packers (No. New England is known for manufacturing touches in short aDOT roles. In our latest installment of scouting reports to help guide your fantasy football teams, we look at Tennessee WR Velus Jones Jr. What are Jones strengths and weaknesses, which teams could be potential landing spots for him in the NFL Draft, and what is his fantasy outlook? The draft begins April 28. He showed progress in that area late in his college career, which is why his receiving production rose last season. He waits until the very last second to make his way to the outside. 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. Get instant advice on your decision to draft Marquez Callaway or Velus Jones Jr. in 2023. Jones has been a steady riser in draft circles due to his performance at the Senior Bowl, and this should continue assuming he tests well at the NFL Combine assuming we have an NFL Combine to scout. He would be a good pick on the third day of the draft, especially if the Saints add a more-established weapon sooner. Pat Mayo breaks down his 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational DraftKings Picks while previewing the course and key stats. Knowing what he brings as a returner should endear him to head coach Dan Campbell. 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). 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. Velus Jones is an overaged prospect who offers help to a team as both a WR and kick returner. Jones ranked 182nd on Bruglers big board. The Packers could be looking to acquire a new kick returner in the 2022 NFL draft. All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Velus Jones 2023 www.knoxnews.com. As noted, Jones hands are great. He led the SEC in kick return average (26.2 yards) and punt return average (15.1) and ranked third in all-purpose yards per game (132.5). With the NFL Draft closing in, which teams make the most sense for Jones as projected landing spots? Jones speed is what gains him separation, not his route running. Fits a zone system, can sift through oncoming traffic and explode through tiny creases and cutback lanes. 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