Nick Friar joins The Sweat to give his favorite DraftKings plays for todays NBA slate. But if his route-running is too loose, his role on offense could be limited. Good contact balance with the ball in his hands. Over the next month, we are going to be taking a look at a handful of draft prospects leading up to the 2022 NFL draft. Also, Tennessee brought him into the slot, which is where he projects in the NFL. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. The only thing that fantasy managers care about is what Jones does on the offensive side of the ball. All of this can and will be coached in the NFL, assuming Jones is viewed as more than a returner. Chicago isnt concerned about Jones being a 25-year-old rookie and is fond of his run-after-the-catch ability. Larry Mayer. This is also where things get a bit trickier from an evaluation standpoint. 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. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he backs that speed up on film. Off the line, as you would expect, he is lightning quick. This gave Jones more room at the line of scrimmage to start getting the ball earlier in his routes. Plays too loose and allows cornerbacks to get the jump on him. Now theyll have to figure out how hell be utilized as a weapon for quarterback Justin Fields. Latest on Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN . https://bearswire.usatoday.com/lists/bears-velus-jones-jr-nfl-draft-2022-expert-grades/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 167) - 1 - Green Bay Packers (No. 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. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. 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. Two reasons: 1) @VelusJr was second-fastest offensive prospect at Senior Bowl21.75 mph @ZebraTechnology2) routes like this pic.twitter.com/JE4BtS6Pkx, Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 20, 2022. Prior to last season, Jones had never had more than 280 receiving yards in a season. With the right NFL team, Jones could turn out to be a diamond in the rough. Listed at 6-foot . 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. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Chargers Scouting Report: Tennessee WR Velus Jones Jr. Cole Topham. 2023 NFL Draft Top 25 Big Board: Young No. McShay has identified the best pick for all 32 teams, stressing that it's not . WR Velus Jones Jr.: Scouting Report. Jones has the lateral speed that doesnt make him lose a step when running routes. Who will be under center? Jones showed in Senior Bowl workouts that he can adjust his body well and utilize his speed to beat defenders for catches. 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. Despite the lesser QB play from Kedon Slovis to Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton, Tennessee manufactured touches for Jones. 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. Will Michael Thomas be back, and how close will he look to the receiver we last saw back in 2020? As the saying goes, if hes even, hes leavin. This speed is how he creates separation both off the line and in the middle of the route. Special with the ball in his hands. 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 . So why the sudden difference? He brings an element of speed you cant teach and instantly makes your roster better. Finally, some help for Justin Fields. 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 . He finished as the FBS active leader with 2,973 kick return yards in his career. 30 Days and 30 Players the Colts are/could be interested in. In the passing game, teams will be drawn to his acceleration and ability to get down the field fast. Lets go to the film to see what he can add to an NFL roster. Clicca su Gestisci impostazioni per maggiori informazioni e per gestire le tue scelte. 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. 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. Still, he possesses elite speed and showed real playmaking ability for the Vols in 2021. But Jones played five seasons in two premier Power 5 programs, and hell turn 25 in May. Puoi cambiare le tue preferenze in qualunque momento nella sezione Le tue impostazioni per la privacy. Mel Kiper/Todd McShay (ESPN): No. 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. Jones returned kicks in all five seasons he played, as well as returned punts for Tennessee in 2021. Given the need, watch out for New Orleans to look at Jones later in the draft. If a player can improve a team in multiple ways, they are more of an asset and are more likely to stick around. He ended the season with 1,722 all-purpose yards, which was third in the SEC conference. Not until the defender opens his hips and commits to the inside, does Jones make his break. (24%*), 4.31 (C) Jones speed is what gains him separation, not his route running. He tracks the deep ball over either shoulder and brings in passes easily. (67%*), 30 7/8 As I said, its a bit of a mess in the Big Easy. Kick-return specialty appears when hes catching the ball on offense. Please check your email for a confirmation. He may not have the immediate acceleration of some other stud speedsters, but once Jones gets rolling, he is . Schedule; Podcast . Big 12 Tourney offering enhanced experience to fans with school-specific treats, The conference tourney has put together a weeklong experience that includes a tailored menu with some interesting item, 2023 Fantasy Golf Picks Arnold Palmer Invitational Picks, Predictions, Preview, Sleepers. Zebra Technologies tracking found that he was consistently one of the fastest players in practices during the week, and hes put enough work into refining his routes to compete at the pro level. Based on his scouting report, fantasy managers should keep their eye on these NFL franchises come draft day. A lot more. Jones has very good lateral quickness that he was able to show throughout his college career. Draft Stock & Draft Projection. So there's a question of whether he can improve much more or if he's close to his ceiling. Former Tennessee speedster Velus Jones Jr. revealed he was in Green Bay on Tuesday, April 5 when he shared a . Thats one of the primary questions NFL teams ask themselves when scouting a player. We are now in the throws of Pro Day season. Theres certainly potential with Jones, whos the best yards-after-the-catch receiver in this draft class. Jones is a flawed route-runner. Very good body control and smooth movements. Drink it in. Copyright 2019-2023. 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. If his pre-draft process continues to go well, he could climb . Often has to throttle down to find the ball. Crazy timed speed. Introducing a new series to the site that will take us right up to draft night. Marquez Callaway has shown signs of being a No. Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA (select parishes)/MD/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Hes able to haul a back shoulder catch surrounded by three defenders. 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. The New Orleans Saints would be a great landing spot for Tennessee prospect Velus Jones Jr., a rising prospect in the 2022 NFL draft. March 10, 2022 10:00 am PT. 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. The 2022 NFL draft will take place April 28-30 in Paradise, Nevada. Last season, Jones caught 62 passes for over 800 yards, seven touchdowns and had three games where he had over 100+ receiving yards. It all began at the Reese's Senior Bowl, then he backed it up at the NFL Combine. After six seasons in college football, Jones was projected to be only a fourth or fifth round pick in this years NFL draft. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds, the second-fastest among wide receivers and fourth-fastest among all participants at the NFL Scouting Combine. Void in ONT. 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. New Orleans has a history of going after Tennessee prospects. Former Tennessee wide receiver and returner Velus Jones Jr. was ranked by Kiper Jr. as the fifth best returner in the 2022 NFL draft. NFL DRAFT STOCK REPORT: Why Tennessee offensive lineman Cade Mays' draft stock is unpredictable at NFL Scouting Combine. Dangerous in the open field. Next up is Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. 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 . Finally, the Chicago Bears got some wide receiver help for quarterback Justin Fields. However, USC has been loaded with WR talent, making it difficult for Jones to break through. 1 wideout like Michael Thomas. Old prospect whos already 25. He has quite a ways to go as a route runner. Can beat the press with elusiveness or physical contact. It took until his 2021 season at Tennessee to put it all together, recording 62 receptions for 807 yards and 7 touchdowns. . From an offensive point of view, Jones main attributes are his speed and hands. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and . Throwing him into the starting lineup right away wouldnt serve anyone well. Velus (pronounced VAY-lus) Jones Jr.'s path to the 2022 NFL Draft went through Alabama, Southern California, and Tennessee. The 6-foot, 200-pounder caught 120 passes for 1,434 yards and 11 touchdowns. 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 . As one NFL season ends, the next is set to begin with the 2022 NFL Draft on the horizon. What will the offense look like without Sean Payton? He was an effective No. . Head coach Matt Eberflus addresses the media on Tuesday during the 2023 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. 71 overall. 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. Does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and is a legitimate vertical threat. (29%*), 74 2/8 Bill Belichick loves guys who can contribute in a multitude of ways, which should place Jones on his radar. The change came in the way he was utilized at Tennessee. His size and acceleration off the line of scrimmage make him a good fit as a slot receiver. Former Tennessee Volunteer Wide Receiver Velus Jones Jr. certainly appears to have made some money during last week's NFL Draft combine. His experience fielding kickoffs (hes returned 122 of them in 59 college games) should also help his case. His 4.31-second 40-yard dash made him the second-fastest wide receiver at this years NFL combine. Jones could step right in and make a difference as a return man. As noted, Jones hands are great. PFN Senior Draft Director Cam Mellor noted this while at the Senior Bowl earlier in the month. If he was younger, hed have gone much earlier. Matt Eberflus on ideal prospects: 'They have to have a love for the game' | Press Conference. His route tree was largely limited to go balls, screens and slants. An impressive athlete with very quick acceleration to reach his top speed quickly and stretch the field. 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. Jones, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, was a 2021 All-SEC selection as an all-purpose player and return specialist. 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. Wide receiver was Chicagos biggest weakness ahead of the NFL draft, where Darnell Mooney and Byron Pringle were the teams top wideouts. 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. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. DATABASE. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. This is why Jones will stick on an NFL roster despite likely not having high draft capital. 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. Jones also figures to contribute on special teams in the return game, where his speed and explosiveness can help with field position. But what is great about this play is how he was untouched when making his way up field. Good effort and technique as a blocker for his size. 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. Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, and KhaDarel Hodge are all set to become free agents in March. Adding Jones gives their offense a boost of speed while also making life easier on Goff, allowing Jones to generate yards after the catch on passes of a shorter average depth of target (aDOT). Covers a lot of ground in the short half of the field and is slippery after the catch. 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. "By the beach," Jones said, "get away from everything and enjoy this moment with close friends and family.". 2 receiver in the Vols offense, ranking second on the team in receptions (62), receiving yards (807), and touchdown catches (7) while playing in all 13 games. Follow full coverage of Velus Jones Jr. during the 2022 NFL Draft on ESPN.com. As fantasy managers watch the NFL Draft, what does Velus Jones Jr.'s scouting report say, and which teams could be potential landing spots? More than likely, his impact on his team will be more significant than on yours. And if there were any questions that he only has track speed, Jones was just as fast in game situations. Velus Jones Jr.s speed and explosiveness are undeniable. 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. 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. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. But hes a compact, physical receiver who was used as a jack of all trades for the Vols. 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. Gambling Problem? 23 KR, 628 YDS (27.3 AVG), 1 TD, 18 PR, 272 YDS (15.1 AVG). Fantasy Impact But the team missed its opportunity to find a legit target earlier in the process. Sure, his speed is great. follow. So, its fair to say that he has some experience with the ball in his hands. Elite, darting stop-and-go acceleration with elite track speed. : Josh Heupel made 10 promises when he became Tennessee football coach. Jones is extremely patient when running his routes and this clip is a great example. He would be a good pick on the third day of the draft, especially if the Saints add a more-established weapon sooner. Only thing that fantasy managers should keep their eye on these NFL franchises come day. Combine during the 2023 NFL combine in Indianapolis shown signs of being a 25-year-old rookie and is a great.! 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Out for new Orleans to look at Jones later in the month Saints add a weapon... Certainly potential with Jones, whos the best yards-after-the-catch receiver in this class!
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