Velus Jones is an overaged prospect who offers help to a team as both a WR and kick returner. 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. In the film I was able to watch, I did not see a dropped pass. Pat Mayo breaks down his 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational DraftKings Picks while previewing the course and key stats. Yahoo fa parte della famiglia di brand di Yahoo. Jones showed in Senior Bowl workouts that he can adjust his body well and utilize his speed to beat defenders for catches. The Bears have wide receivers Mooney, Chase Claypool, Equanimeous St. Brown and Velus Jones Jr. set to return, but they certainly would benefit from adding bigger names than their low-cost . Chicago isnt concerned about Jones being a 25-year-old rookie and is fond of his run-after-the-catch ability. 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. Plays like this are why Jones averaged 12.8 yards per reception at Tennessee, with 8.1 coming after the catch on average. NFL scouts have been in draft meetings past couple weeks and hearing @Vol_Football WR Velus Jones Jr. is getting pushed up many boards. Maybe Jones joins them. Jones speed and his ability to play through contact make himan intriguing option for a creative offensive play-caller. Jones returned kicks in all five seasons he played, as well as returned punts for Tennessee in 2021. 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. Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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). Velus Jones Jr.'s first NFL TD come via Herculean pylon reach. In his four years at USC, Jones recorded just 347 yards. Gambling Problem? DATABASE. This also helped to hide one of Jones issues, albeit a rather large one. Jones burst well after the catch but needs work to be trusted in an expanded capacity. His size and acceleration off the line of scrimmage make him a good fit as a slot receiver. This leaves Amon-Ra St. Brown and Quintez Cephus as the primary options for Jared Goff (not including TE T.J. Hockenson). (97%*), 4.51 (P) The NFL . Hes able to haul a back shoulder catch surrounded by three defenders. 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. Covers a lot of ground in the short half of the field and is slippery after the catch. Bill Belichick loves guys who can contribute in a multitude of ways, which should place Jones on his radar. That and his punt return work, also excellent, earned him a nod as the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2021. Feb 28, 2023 . March 10, 2022 10:00 am PT. 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. Please check your email for a confirmation. Chargers Scouting Report: Tennessee WR Velus Jones Jr. Cole Topham. So, its fair to say that he has some experience with the ball in his hands. He may not have the immediate acceleration of some other stud speedsters, but once Jones gets rolling, he is . 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. 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 is one of 324 prospects invited to the combine, which makes him potentially draftable. While unpolished, Jones was also unguardable at the Senior Bowl. What will the offense look like without Sean Payton? For fantasy, unless you play in leagues that reward return yards, it doesnt matter. Pete Carroll and John Schneider knew they had to change their draft philosophy in 2022, and they explained it at the scouting combine. Needs to tighten up route running. All Rights Reserved. Jones speed is what gains him separation, not his route running. For a player to have been in college long enough to get his masters, never crossing the 1,000-yard threshold is concerning. It all began at the Reese's Senior Bowl, then he backed it up at the NFL Combine. Jones projects as a WR3 behind Mooney and Pringle, where the belief is Jones has an intriguing skillset but is still raw. 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. However, USC has been loaded with WR talent, making it difficult for Jones to break through. 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 . Hes an unpolished route runner, but hes one of the best run-after-the-catch wideouts in this draft class. ET on Thursday. Does well to separate down the field. 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. 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. Odds and lines subject to change. Jones played at University of Southern California for two years then transferred to the University of Tennessee in 2020. 9 3/4 He was an effective No. Did he keep them? PROMISES KEPT? Drink it in. Knowing what he brings as a returner should endear him to head coach Dan Campbell. It always goes down smooth. Jones, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, was a 2021 All-SEC selection as an all-purpose player and return specialist. Good effort and technique as a blocker for his size. 171) - 1 Round 6 - Cincinnati Bengals (No. Old prospect whos already 25. 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. . It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. 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. 1 wideout like Michael Thomas. Scouting Report: Summary. The most likely projection for Jones is a starting returner and speed threat off the bench. Mock Draft Database Sites; NFL NBA NHL MLB. This is why Jones will stick on an NFL roster despite likely not having high draft capital. Follow full coverage of Velus Jones Jr. during the 2022 NFL Draft on ESPN.com. Where he really stood out was on special teams as a kick returner. Jones has excellent speed (ran 4.31), but this is a head-scratching pick by the Bears. The Bears were looking for speed and they found it in Jones, who ran a 4.31-second 40-yard dash. Wide receiver was Chicagos biggest weakness ahead of the NFL draft, where Darnell Mooney and Byron Pringle were the teams top wideouts. What about the status of Alvin Kamara? We are now in the throws of Pro Day season. Latest on Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN . Doesnt quite play to that level. 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. Can beat the press with elusiveness or physical contact. McShay has identified the best pick for all 32 teams, stressing that it's not . 2023 www.knoxnews.com. And if there were any questions that he only has track speed, Jones was just as fast in game situations. . See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Jones patiently waited for his opportunity to showcase his talents, resulting in a scouting report full of potential. Jones Jr. leaves college football after assembling his best season where his role in the offense led to the most opportunities for his . 71 overall . Experience and production as a punt and kick returner. 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). He showed progress in that area late in his college career, which is why his receiving production rose last season. And by not taking a receiver in Round 2, or an offensive lineman before Round 5, the Bears . He thrived in the no-huddle offense where he was primarily running routes out of the slot. (24%*), 4.31 (C) In this clip below, Jones is going against an off-coverage defender with a safety over his left shoulder. (50%*), Drafted: ROUND: 3 - Pick Number: 71 (CHI), (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance), SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL. 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. Two of the three experts have him going to an NFC team in the fifth round. 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). Velus Jones Jr. enters the NFL after six seasons in college football, spending 2016-2019 at USC and 2020-2021 at Tennessee. It took until his 2021 season at Tennessee to put it all together, recording 62 receptions for 807 yards and 7 touchdowns. A lot more. 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. It worked in college because DBs were playing off coverage against him due to the vertical threat his speed presents. It started with his measurements as Jones Jr. measured in . The Bears on Friday bolstered their offense by choosing Tennessee receiver Velus Jones Jr. in the third round of the NFL Draft at No. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine His speed brings an element most teams are not ready for defensively. DraftKings operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario. Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, and KhaDarel Hodge are all set to become free agents in March. 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. Now theyll have to figure out how hell be utilized as a weapon for quarterback Justin Fields. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Has decent hands any NFL wide receiver coach and quarterback would covet. Follow full coverage of Velus Jones Jr. during the 2022 NFL Draft on ESPN.com. Throughout the game, once Jones beat several defenders deep, the defensive-backs tend to take a couple steps back pre-snap. 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. 2023 NFL Draft Top 25 Big Board: Young No. 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. Pro Football Network, LLC. : Josh Heupel made 10 promises when he became Tennessee football coach. https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2022/02/22/2022-draft-prospects-velus-jones-jr-saints-tennessee-nfl/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. One of their top ways to get Jones the ball was to stack him and another receiver on the far boundary. But add his return skills to the equation, and his value rises. The New Orleans Saints would be a great landing spot for Tennessee prospect Velus Jones Jr., a rising prospect in the 2022 NFL draft. 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