With his teammate to his left running a stick route, Jones is one-on-one with a ton of space to the outside. He would be a good pick on the third day of the draft, especially if the Saints add a more-established weapon sooner. Whether that means spending an early-round pick on a top prospect or investing in a veteran free agent, youd like to see New Orleans double down on the receiving corps. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. 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. So, its fair to say that he has some experience with the ball in his hands. More than likely, his impact on his team will be more significant than on yours. Based on his scouting report, fantasy managers should keep their eye on these NFL franchises come draft day. Furthermore, Jones' hands are a concern. Velus Jones Jr. WR; Senior; 5-11, 204 lbs; Tennessee; Scouts Grade; Position Rank; Overall Rank; Arm Length 30-5/8" Hand Size 9-1/4" 40-YD Dash 4.31; Conference TBD; 2022 Draft Pick Info . But what is great about this play is how he was untouched when making his way up field. 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. Get the latest on Chicago Bears WR Velus Jones Jr. including news, stats, videos, and more on CBSSports.com . 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 . Puoi cambiare le tue preferenze in qualunque momento nella sezione Le tue impostazioni per la privacy. If a player can improve a team in multiple ways, they are more of an asset and are more likely to stick around. 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. Now theyll have to figure out how hell be utilized as a weapon for quarterback Justin Fields. As noted, Jones hands are great. Round 5 - Dallas Cowboys (No. With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team . He offers little to sell his route to the DB. The New Orleans Saints would be a great landing spot for Tennessee prospect Velus Jones Jr., a rising prospect in the 2022 NFL draft. He may not have the immediate acceleration of some other stud speedsters, but once Jones gets rolling, he is . "By the beach," Jones said, "get away from everything and enjoy this moment with close friends and family.". This is what will keep him on a 53-man roster. Crazy timed speed. Weve already discussed how the New Orleans Saints hiring wide receivers coach Kodi Burns 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. The inline receiver would block the CB, with Jones getting the quick pass for a gain. Theres certainly potential with Jones, whos the best yards-after-the-catch receiver in this draft class. Pro Football Network, LLC. Will Michael Thomas be back, and how close will he look to the receiver we last saw back in 2020? Velus Jones Jr. enters the NFL after six seasons in college football, spending 2016-2019 at USC and 2020-2021 at Tennessee. Despite the lesser QB play from Kedon Slovis to Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton, Tennessee manufactured touches for Jones. The speed, hands, and body control are there, as is a willingness to play a bit nasty when blocking or giving a CB an extra pop at the whistle. Velus Jones Jr . Follow full coverage of Velus Jones Jr. during the 2022 NFL Draft on ESPN.com. 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. 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. . Bill Belichick loves guys who can contribute in a multitude of ways, which should place Jones on his radar. Jones has excellent speed (ran 4.31), but this is a head-scratching pick by the Bears. 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. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Has rare suddenness with lightning footwork to create in tight areas with elusive shiftiness and change-of-direction skills. As a receiver-returner with explosive speed, quickness and burst, Jones should make his mark as a WR3/WR4 and return specialist early in his career. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. His speed brings an element most teams are not ready for defensively. Yahoo fa parte della famiglia di brand di Yahoo. Jones speed and his ability to play through contact make himan intriguing option for a creative offensive play-caller. Pete Carroll and John Schneider knew they had to change their draft philosophy in 2022, and they explained it at the scouting combine. 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 . 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. It worked in college because DBs were playing off coverage against him due to the vertical threat his speed presents. 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. March 10, 2022 10:00 am PT. Per maggiori informazioni sulle modalit di utilizzo dei dati, consulta la nostra Informativa sulla privacy e lInformativa sui cookie. (29%*), 74 2/8 He thrived in the no-huddle offense where he was primarily running routes out of the slot. 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. Feb 28, 2023 . He waits until the very last second to make his way to the outside. Plays fast and explosive. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Most of the time, he was out there for the quick pass pseudo screen. But his route-running, though improved in the past year, is still seen as a weakness. He was an effective No. Jones speed, elusiveness and acceleration make him a good fit as a slot receiver. So there's a question of whether he can improve much more or if he's close to his ceiling. Jones projects as a WR3 for the Bears behind Darnell Mooney and Byron Pringle. 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. Jones burst well after the catch but needs work to be trusted in an expanded capacity. Velus Jones Jr. Introducing a new series to the site that will take us right up to draft night. The draft begins April 28. Odds and lines subject to change. Hes able to haul a back shoulder catch surrounded by three defenders. Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, and KhaDarel Hodge are all set to become free agents in March. There are some prospects who can run a 4.31 forty-yard dash at the NFL combine but play a lot slower in-game. His 4.31-second 40-yard dash made him the second-fastest wide receiver at this years NFL combine. It took until his sixth collegiate season to earn a consistent starting role, but the lull was worth it. Still, he possesses elite speed and showed real playmaking ability for the . Current. In the passing game, teams will be drawn to his acceleration and ability to get down the field fast. Fantasy Impact It takes little time for him to accelerate and stack a corner. (97%*), 4.51 (P) Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and . He earned his undergraduate degree from USC and completed his masters at Tennessee. Still, he possesses elite speed and showed real playmaking ability for the Vols in 2021. This is why Jones will stick on an NFL roster despite likely not having high draft capital. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Off the line, as you would expect, he is lightning quick. Past. The Jones pick garnered criticism from the draft community because of his age and draft projection. He was a 2019 All-Pac-12 performer as a return specialist and a 2021 All-SEC selection as an all-purpose player and return specialist. Two of the three experts have him going to an NFC team in the fifth round. 71 overall. Does a nice job locating and tracking deep passes and is a legitimate vertical threat. 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. 71 overall . What will the New Orleans Saints look like in 2022? Kick-return specialty appears when hes catching the ball on offense. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine 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. For fantasy, unless you play in leagues that reward return yards, it doesnt matter. 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. Alvin Kamara of course has been their most notable pickup from Rocky Top, but theyve also gotten great returns on undrafted free agent finds like Marquez Callaway and Shy Tuttle. Schedule; Podcast . But if his route-running is too loose, his role on offense could be limited. Maybe Jones joins them. Did he keep them? 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? New England is known for manufacturing touches in short aDOT roles. And his role in the NFL will likely be a complimentary weapon working across from an established No. So why the sudden difference? The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Heres a collection of all of the grades for Jones from various sports outlets, and the analysts think the Bears mightve reached on Jones, who has electric speed but remains unproven. Hes a developmental prospect at receiver, but hes certainly got an intriguing skillset to work with. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he backs that speed up on film. 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. 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. If given a lane, hes going to burn you. 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). 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. Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst couldn't have made it more clear at the scouting combine: He wants Jordan Love to play more. What about the status of Alvin Kamara? It will likely take a couple of years for Jones to iron out either of these issues. But he needs to run a fast 40-yard dash and show crisp route-running to catch the eye of a team searching for a late-round pick. A lot more. 30 Days and 30 Players the Colts are/could be interested in. 171) - 1 Round 6 - Cincinnati Bengals (No. In this clip below, Jones is going against an off-coverage defender with a safety over his left shoulder. Jones also figures to contribute on special teams in the return game, where his speed and explosiveness can help with field position. That being said, Jones is not a complete receiver right now. Special with the ball in his hands. Does well to separate down the field. Prior to last season, Jones had never had more than 280 receiving yards in a season. 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). And acceleration make him a good fit as a WR3 for the quick pass for a gain is will. 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