This is also where things get a bit trickier from an evaluation standpoint. 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). Special with the ball in his hands. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and . 2023 Mock Drafts 2024 Mock Drafts 2025 Mock Drafts. Call 1-800-GAMBLER (PA/OH) or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Not until the defender opens his hips and commits to the inside, does Jones make his break. Old prospect whos already 25. Jones is one of 324 prospects invited to the combine, which makes him potentially draftable. New Orleans has a history of going after Tennessee prospects. Jones has excellent speed (ran 4.31), but this is a head-scratching pick by the Bears. The issue is we dont know how long this will take, nor how long a team is willing to wait for this improvement to come. Throwing him into the starting lineup right away wouldnt serve anyone well. All rights reserved. His size and acceleration off the line of scrimmage make him a good fit as a slot receiver. What about the status of Alvin Kamara? Now being mocked to go in the second or third round. General manager Ryan Poles opted to take a chance on Jones, who has blazing speed and has the potential to be dangerous in Luke Getsys offense. 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). 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. But his route-running, though improved in the past year, is still seen as a weakness. Still, he possesses elite speed and showed real playmaking ability for the Vols in 2021. If he was younger, hed have gone much earlier. (67%*), 30 7/8 22 TCU on Wednesday, March 1, Picks, predictions for Oklahoma vs. No. "By the beach," Jones said, "get away from everything and enjoy this moment with close friends and family.". If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500(VA). Where he really stood out was on special teams as a kick returner. The Packers could be looking to acquire a new kick returner in the 2022 NFL draft. Also, Tennessee brought him into the slot, which is where he projects in the NFL. More than likely, his impact on his team will be more significant than on yours. If given a lane, hes going to burn you. Velus Jones Jr.'s first NFL TD come via Herculean pylon reach. Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Kyle Lowry headline NBA injury report for Wednesday, March 1, Picks, predictions for Penn State vs. Northwestern on Wednesday, March 1, Picks, predictions for No. 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. At the stem is where Jones is the weakest. Even with the defender lined up seven yards off the line of scrimmage, Jones can still make a move without losing a step in-stride after coming out of his release. Why Tennessee offensive lineman Cade Mays' draft stock is unpredictable at NFL Scouting Combine. : Josh Heupel made 10 promises when he became Tennessee football coach. There are some prospects who rise their stock throughout the draft process; Velus Jones Jr is one of those guys. It takes little time for him to accelerate and stack a corner. Head coach Matt Eberflus addresses the media on Tuesday during the 2023 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. This is what will keep him on a 53-man roster. 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 will likely take a couple of years for Jones to iron out either of these issues. 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. Can beat the press with elusiveness or physical contact. 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. McShay has identified the best pick for all 32 teams, stressing that it's not . Ethan Wolf and Bryce Thompson are also returning for 2022 from the Saints practice squad. Pro Football Network, LLC. 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. Maybe Jones joins them. 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. Finally, the Chicago Bears got some wide receiver help for quarterback Justin Fields. Good contact balance with the ball in his hands. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Uncomfortable seeing the ball in at times. Mostly a screen-and-go ball player at this stage. He waits until the very last second to make his way to the outside. Velus Jones Jr. We offer weekly, rest of season, and full season projections. Jones could fit the mold. Jones, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, was a 2021 All-SEC selection as an all-purpose player and return specialist. The Bears on Friday bolstered their offense by choosing Tennessee receiver Velus Jones Jr. in the third round of the NFL Draft at 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. 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 . Gambling Problem? Velus Jones Jr.s speed and explosiveness are undeniable. Jones will watch the 87th NFL Draft at a beach house in Gulf Shores. The Bears passed up on a handful of more proven receivers, including Jalen Tolbert, Calvin Austin III and David Bell. But hes a compact, physical receiver who was used as a jack of all trades for the Vols. https://bearswire.usatoday.com/lists/bears-velus-jones-jr-nfl-draft-2022-expert-grades/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Who will be under center? His route tree was largely limited to go balls, screens and slants. Has decent hands any NFL wide receiver coach and quarterback would covet. Please check your email for a confirmation. That said, hes an explosive pass-catcher with elite speed who should help Darnell Mooney challenge opposing defenses. 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. Plays like this are why Jones averaged 12.8 yards per reception at Tennessee, with 8.1 coming after the catch on average. He struggles to catch balls outside of his frame or when contested in traffic, and he even shows some discomfort finding the ball in clean scenarios from time to time. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. That and his punt return work, also excellent, earned him a nod as the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2021. Doesnt quite play to that level. As you would expect from a successful collegiate returner, Jones is fast. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he backs that speed up on film. It all began at the Reese's Senior Bowl, then he backed it up at the NFL Combine. 9 Texas vs. No. The most likely projection for Jones is a starting returner and speed threat off the bench. But Jones played five seasons in two premier Power 5 programs, and hell turn 25 in May. 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. With his teammate to his left running a stick route, Jones is one-on-one with a ton of space to the outside. 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. Eligibility restrictions apply. Ahead of the 2022 NFL draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. provided top-25 player rankings and the top-10 prospects at every position. Last year, as a receiver, he caught 62 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. Jones, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, spent three years at Southern Cal and two years at Tennessee. Given the need, watch out for New Orleans to look at Jones later in the draft. 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. 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. 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. Sign up for the Touchdown Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, Georgia coach Kirby Smart reacted to charges against star DL Jalen Carter. He tracks the deep ball over either shoulder and brings in passes easily. Jones returned kicks in all five seasons he played, as well as returned punts for Tennessee in 2021. Has rare suddenness with lightning footwork to create in tight areas with elusive shiftiness and change-of-direction skills. 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. Round 5 - Dallas Cowboys (No. Clicca su Gestisci impostazioni per maggiori informazioni e per gestire le tue scelte. The Lions still need quite a bit of help at receiver. 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. 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. The Bears did recognize their need for more speedy playmaking at wideout to complement Darnell Mooney and give Justin Fields a field-stretcher, but this is a bit of a head-scratcher for a mid Day 3 prospect. 1. That being said, Jones is not a complete receiver right now. https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/velus-jones-2022-nfl-draft/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The only thing that fantasy managers care about is what Jones does on the offensive side of the ball. 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. , including Jalen Tolbert velus jones jr nfl draft projection Calvin Austin III and David Bell commits to Combine! Backs that speed up on film Jones to iron out either of these issues Tennessee. 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