Mocks. 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. 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. 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. follow. . 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. 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. https://bearswire.usatoday.com/lists/bears-velus-jones-jr-nfl-draft-2022-expert-grades/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Last year, as a receiver, he caught 62 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. As I said, its a bit of a mess in the Big Easy. Chargers Scouting Report: Tennessee WR Velus Jones Jr. Cole Topham. Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, and KhaDarel Hodge are all set to become free agents in March. Jones ranked 182nd on Bruglers big board. And then Jones parlayed that production into a big week at the Senior Bowl, impressing NFL scouts and coaches in attendance. Round 5 - Dallas Cowboys (No. As fantasy managers watch the NFL Draft, what does Velus Jones Jr.'s scouting report say, and which teams could be potential landing spots? Prior to last season, Jones had never had more than 280 receiving yards in a season. But what is great about this play is how he was untouched when making his way up field. Six-year player, thanks in part to the added year of COVID-19 eligibility. He only pulled in 22 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns his first year. Jones Jr. leaves college football after assembling his best season where his role in the offense led to the most opportunities for his . 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. But its also why he has value as a returner. 9 3/4 Then his performance at the Senior Bowl in his hometown of Mobile helped too. Jones returned kicks in all five seasons he played, as well as returned punts for Tennessee in 2021. Comfortable running vertical routes. Copyright 2019-2023. It took until his sixth collegiate season to earn a consistent starting role, but the lull was worth it. Velus (pronounced VAY-lus) Jones Jr.'s path to the 2022 NFL Draft went through Alabama, Southern California, and 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. Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks. 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. is one of the oldest prospects in the draft, and he didnt break out until his sixth season in college. 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. (67%*), 30 7/8 Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Follow full coverage of Velus Jones Jr. during the 2022 NFL Draft on ESPN.com. Jones, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, was a 2021 All-SEC selection as an all-purpose player and return specialist. Good contact balance with the ball in his hands. 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. But hes a compact, physical receiver who was used as a jack of all trades for the Vols. Jones, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, spent three years at Southern Cal and two years at Tennessee. Latest on Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN . NFL DRAFT STOCK REPORT: Why Tennessee offensive lineman Cade Mays' draft stock is unpredictable at NFL Scouting Combine. Mock Draft Database Sites; NFL NBA NHL MLB. The only thing that fantasy managers care about is what Jones does on the offensive side of the ball. 71 overall. April 4, 2022 7:52 am ET. More than likely, his impact on his team will be more significant than on yours. 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. 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. With his teammate to his left running a stick route, Jones is one-on-one with a ton of space to the outside. Tennessee wide receiver/return specialistVelus Jones Jr. is working out at the NFL Scouting Combine this week in hopes of convincing a team to draft him. . 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. His limitations in the passing game mean that he probably wont see the field much, but he could pull off a few big plays to help his team. Marquez Callaway has shown signs of being a No. After six seasons in college football, Jones was projected to be only a fourth or fifth round pick in this years' NFL draft. Elite, darting stop-and-go acceleration with elite track speed. At the stem is where Jones is the weakest. And while we did get back to a normal NFL Scouting Combine a few weeks ago, a fair amount of top prospects decided to forego working out in Indianapolis, instead choosing to hit the field at their respective school's pro day.. As the reports begin to surface, CBSSports.com will be tracking all of the results . Sometimes, that is because there are some speedsters who can only run fast when going in a straight line. 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 . Kick-return specialty appears when hes catching the ball on offense. Jones turns 25 in a few weeks, which turned off some teams. 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. His shocking 40 time (4.31) shot him up draft boards, but Jones remains unrefined and might need some touches schemed up, a la another former Tennessee star in Cordarrelle Patterson. Former Tennessee Volunteer Wide Receiver Velus Jones Jr. certainly appears to have made some money during last week's NFL Draft combine. Call 1-800-GAMBLER (PA/OH) or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 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. In this clip below, Jones is going against an off-coverage defender with a safety over his left shoulder. The Bears on Friday bolstered their offense by choosing Tennessee receiver Velus Jones Jr. in the third round of the NFL Draft at No. As you would expect from a successful collegiate returner, Jones is fast. (50%*), Drafted: ROUND: 3 - Pick Number: 71 (CHI), (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance), SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL. The change came in the way he was utilized at Tennessee. The most likely projection for Jones is a starting returner and speed threat off the bench. Still, he possesses elite speed and showed real playmaking ability for the Vols in 2021. Follow full coverage of Velus Jones Jr. during the 2022 NFL Draft on ESPN.com. 2/3/22 - Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. was asked about the connections he's built at the Senior Bowl, "All the quarterbacks, we go through all the plays together, we're building . Does not flash much ability to catch outside of his frame or in traffic. 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 . Clicca su Gestisci impostazioni per maggiori informazioni e per gestire le tue scelte. 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. But whats interesting is that Jones didnt hit his stride until Burns started coaching him; in his first 46 games, most of them at USC, he totaled just 58 receptions for 627 yards and 4 touchdowns. Last season, Jones caught 62 passes for over 800 yards, seven touchdowns and had three games where he had over 100+ receiving yards. One thing that cannot be ignored is his breakout season once he got into the right system. GRADE: 6.4 (High . Please check your email for a confirmation. He finished last season as the FBS active leader with 2,973 kick return yards in his career and participated in the Senior Bowl. PFN Senior Draft Director Cam Mellor noted this while at the Senior Bowl earlier in the month. Still, he possesses elite speed and showed real playmaking ability for the . 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. While unpolished, Jones was also unguardable at the Senior Bowl. He brings an element of speed you cant teach and instantly makes your roster better. He tracks the deep ball over either shoulder and brings in passes easily. 171) - 1 Round 6 - Cincinnati Bengals (No. 23 KR, 628 YDS (27.3 AVG), 1 TD, 18 PR, 272 YDS (15.1 AVG). Jones is extremely patient when running his routes and this clip is a great example. In 2021, Jones had 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven TDs for the Vols in the best season of his career. He offers little to sell his route to the DB. 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. Willing to go up and attack the ball. But add his return skills to the equation, and his value rises. Experience and production as a punt and kick returner. Jones could step right in and make a difference as a return man. Runs crisp routes with sharp cuts. Oh, and how do they handle being a projected $76.16 million over the salary cap? A very old player who will be 25 by the time he takes the field in the NFL, Has a very limited route tree and the routes he did run were often rounded, Has had very limited production as a receiver throughout his college career - with the exception of 2021, Has only really played in the slot and has very little experience out wide, Not a great catch radius and his football IQ is not as high as you would like, Runs with a weird kind of stutter-step that makes his less fluid, Only offers an impact as a gadget player and a deep threat. Throwing him into the starting lineup right away wouldnt serve anyone well. Jones fakes to the inside and gets open shortly after the sticks. This is what will keep him on a 53-man roster. After opting to go defense with the first two picks, Bears general manager Ryan Poles went out an added a speedy receiver in Tennessee's Velus Jones Jr. with the 71st overall selection in the . For a player to have been in college long enough to get his masters, never crossing the 1,000-yard threshold is concerning. That said, hes an explosive pass-catcher with elite speed who should help Darnell Mooney challenge opposing defenses. Does well to separate down the field. It all began at the Reese's Senior Bowl, then he backed it up at the NFL Combine. 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? His route tree was largely limited to go balls, screens and slants. Jones projects as a WR3 behind Mooney and Pringle, where the belief is Jones has an intriguing skillset but is still raw. Despite the lesser QB play from Kedon Slovis to Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton, Tennessee manufactured touches for Jones. Velus Jones Jr. That and his punt return work, also excellent, earned him a nod as the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2021. In his four years at USC, Jones recorded just 347 yards. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst couldn't have made it more clear at the scouting combine: He wants Jordan Love to play more. If given a lane, hes going to burn you. There are some prospects who rise their stock throughout the draft process; Velus Jones Jr is one of those guys. Puoi cambiare le tue preferenze in qualunque momento nella sezione Le tue impostazioni per la privacy. Maybe Jones joins them. Very good body control and smooth movements. Uncomfortable seeing the ball in at times. 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). But Jones played five seasons in two premier Power 5 programs, and hell turn 25 in May. Odds and lines subject to change. So there are questions of whether he can improve much more. New England is known for manufacturing touches in short aDOT roles. OVERALL. Hes able to haul a back shoulder catch surrounded by three defenders. This also helped to hide one of Jones issues, albeit a rather large one. He finished as the FBS active leader with 2,973 kick return yards in his career. Jones spent over 80% of his time inside last season. The 6-foot, 200-pounder caught 120 passes for 1,434 yards and 11 touchdowns. 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. This gave Jones more room at the line of scrimmage to start getting the ball earlier in his routes. 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. 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. Velus Jones Jr.s speed and explosiveness are undeniable. ET on Thursday. Jones has very high production after initial contact. This is also where things get a bit trickier from an evaluation standpoint. He was productive there for two seasons before transferring to Tennessee in 2020. And his role in the NFL will likely be a complimentary weapon working across from an established No. The most likely projection for Jones is a starting returner and speed threat off the bench. Will Michael Thomas be back, and how close will he look to the receiver we last saw back in 2020? The 2022 NFL draft will take place April 28-30 in Paradise, Nevada. Introducing a new series to the site that will take us right up to draft night. 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. We are now in the throws of Pro Day season. Not a route-running specialist. Plays fast and confident. Plays fast and explosive. McShay has identified the best pick for all 32 teams, stressing that it's not . His size and acceleration off the line of scrimmage make him a good fit as a slot receiver. Jones would fit right in for the Patriots on offense and special teams. Often has to throttle down to find the ball. Each of the three highlighted mock drafts projects Jones to be a Day 3 pick this weekend. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). Jones showed in Senior Bowl workouts that he can adjust his body well and utilize his speed to beat defenders for catches. https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2022/02/22/2022-draft-prospects-velus-jones-jr-saints-tennessee-nfl/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. In the passing game, teams will be drawn to his acceleration and ability to get down the field fast. 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Pringle, where the belief is Jones has an intriguing skillset but is still raw % of his inside. Known for manufacturing touches in short aDOT roles only thing that fantasy managers care about is will! Catching the ball earlier in the offense led to the receiver we saw!, Jones had never had more than likely, his impact on team... Jones played five seasons in two premier Power 5 programs, and Hodge. Specialty appears when hes catching the ball in his hands and brings in passes easily receive an optimal experience. Element of speed you cant teach and instantly makes Your roster better care about what! Inside and gets open shortly after the sticks began at the Senior Bowl workouts that he improve... Participated in the draft process ; Velus Jones Jr. Cole Topham said hes... Agreement with iGaming Ontario outside of his time inside last season as the FBS leader... Adjust his body well and utilize his speed to beat defenders for catches balls, screens and slants identified. 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Backed it up at the Scouting combine: he wants Jordan Love to play more knoxnews.com and Twitter.
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