Throughout the game, once Jones beat several defenders deep, the defensive-backs tend to take a couple steps back pre-snap. 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. NFL MOCK DRAFT. 2023 NFL Draft Top 25 Big Board: Young No. McShay's NFL draft All-Satellite team: The 2022 class' best playmakers in space . An impressive athlete with very quick acceleration to reach his top speed quickly and stretch the field. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he backs that speed up on film. Velus Jones Jr. started his college career in California, signing with the USC Trojans out of high school. The draft begins April 28. Has rare suddenness with lightning footwork to create in tight areas with elusive shiftiness and change-of-direction skills. 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. 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. What will the New Orleans Saints look like in 2022? Route tree is limited right now. More than likely, his impact on his team will be more significant than on yours. Good contact balance with the ball in his hands. Sign up for the Saints Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. (24%*), 4.31 (C) 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. With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team . And if there were any questions that he only has track speed, Jones was just as fast in game situations. Jones has played five seasons at two premier Power 5 programs, and hell turn 25 years old in May. Not only is Jones a capable receiver, but he might be the best returner of the 2022 NFL Draft class. But Jones played five seasons in two premier Power 5 programs, and hell turn 25 in May. In the passing game, teams will be drawn to his acceleration and ability to get down the field fast. This leaves Amon-Ra St. Brown and Quintez Cephus as the primary options for Jared Goff (not including TE T.J. Hockenson). 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. Top gear can separate from anyone. Dangerous in the open field. Plays too loose and allows cornerbacks to get the jump on him. In the clip below, from spread trips, Jones is lined up in the outside-slot running a fade. A lot more. He led the SEC in punt return average (15.1) and ranked second in both kick return average (26.2 yards) and all-purpose yards per game (132.5). Fantasy Impact Get instant advice on your decision to draft Marquez Callaway or Velus Jones Jr. in 2023. He would be a good pick on the third day of the draft, especially if the Saints add a more-established weapon sooner. Matt Eberflus on ideal prospects: 'They have to have a love for the game' | Press Conference. Jones does offer immediate special teams value, though. That being said, Jones is not a complete receiver right now. 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. Often has to throttle down to find the ball. The 6-foot, 200-pounder caught 120 passes for 1,434 yards and 11 touchdowns. The change came in the way he was utilized at Tennessee. All of this can and will be coached in the NFL, assuming Jones is viewed as more than a returner. Follow full coverage of Velus Jones Jr. during the 2022 NFL Draft on ESPN.com. Given the need, watch out for New Orleans to look at Jones later in the draft. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. 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. But once Josh Heupel was hired as the Head Coach, in 2021, and then brought in Kelsey Pope to be the wide receivers coach, Jones took off. However, USC has been loaded with WR talent, making it difficult for Jones to break through. Why Tennessee offensive lineman Cade Mays' draft stock is unpredictable at NFL Scouting Combine. Jones speed is what gains him separation, not his route running. This is what will keep him on a 53-man roster. 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 . Very good body control and smooth movements. (50%*), Drafted: ROUND: 3 - Pick Number: 71 (CHI), (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance), SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL. Clicca su Gestisci impostazioni per maggiori informazioni e per gestire le tue scelte. Ethan Wolf and Bryce Thompson are also returning for 2022 from the Saints practice squad. 255, Los Angeles Chargers, Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News): No. In the film I was able to watch, I did not see a dropped pass. 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. As I said, its a bit of a mess in the Big Easy. As one NFL season ends, the next is set to begin with the 2022 NFL Draft on the horizon. If Jones can get on an NFL team who already has a dominant X receiver, he can be a very productive complementary piece from the slot and on special teams. We offer recommendations from over 100 fantasy football experts! And then Jones parlayed that production into a big week at the Senior Bowl, impressing NFL scouts and coaches in attendance. It all began at the Reese's Senior Bowl, then he backed it up at the NFL Combine. 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. Of the Bears' 11 picks in the NFL Draft, ESPN analyst Todd McShay feels that third-round choice Velus Jones Jr., a receiver and return specialist from Tennessee, was their best selection. Jones could step right in and make a difference as a return man. 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. 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. As wide receiver alone, Jones may be a coin flip as an NFL player. (97%*), 4.51 (P) It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Ahead of the 2022 NFL draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. provided top-25 player rankings and the top-10 prospects at every position. In all likelihood, in most standard leagues, Jones wont be on the fantasy radar this season. "By the beach," Jones said, "get away from everything and enjoy this moment with close friends and family.". He earned his undergraduate degree from USC and completed his masters at Tennessee. Eligibility restrictions apply. . Sometimes, that is because there are some speedsters who can only run fast when going in a straight line. It all began at the Reeses Senior Bowl, then he backed it up at the NFL Combine. Chicago isnt concerned about Jones being a 25-year-old rookie and is fond of his run-after-the-catch ability. Hes able to haul a back shoulder catch surrounded by three defenders. In the passing game, teams will be drawn to his acceleration and ability to get down the field fast. It takes little time for him to accelerate and stack a corner. 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. Will Michael Thomas be back, and how close will he look to the receiver we last saw back in 2020? Jones is a flawed route-runner. But it mightve been a reach on Chicagos part to select him with the seventh pick in the third round. Jones has very good lateral quickness that he was able to show throughout his college career. New England is known for manufacturing touches in short aDOT roles. 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. Scouting Report: Summary. 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. He spent six years in college four at USC and two more at Tennessee. 22 TCU on Wednesday, March 1, Picks, predictions for Oklahoma vs. No. Last season, Jones caught 62 passes for over 800 yards, seven touchdowns and had three games where he had over 100+ receiving yards. Velus Jones Jr. is one of the oldest prospects in the draft, and he didnt break out until his sixth season in college. Chargers Scouting Report: Tennessee WR Velus Jones Jr. Cole Topham. 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. This also helped to hide one of Jones issues, albeit a rather large one. He was an effective No. Drink it in. Great speed. Please check your email for a confirmation. 1 wideout like Michael Thomas. Covers a lot of ground in the short half of the field and is slippery after the catch. Former Tennessee Volunteer Wide Receiver Velus Jones Jr. certainly appears to have made some money during last week's NFL Draft combine. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and . GRADE: 6.4 (High . The Bears passed up on a handful of more proven receivers, including Jalen Tolbert, Calvin Austin III and David Bell. Has decent hands any NFL wide receiver coach and quarterback would covet. We are now in the throws of Pro Day season. 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