There are some prospects who rise their stock throughout the draft process; Velus Jones Jr is one of those guys. Feb 28, 2023 . Can beat the press with elusiveness or physical contact. 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). Given Mac Jones quick decision-making abilities and accuracy, when Velus Jones is able to gain separation on a quick slant, he knows there is a chance for substantial YAC due to his rapid pace. Who will be under center? 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. He would be a good pick on the third day of the draft, especially if the Saints add a more-established weapon sooner. Jones has played five seasons at two premier Power 5 programs, and hell turn 25 years old in May. On the boundary, its either a hitch, deep post, or a vertical route. 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. Larry Mayer. For one, Jones does not possess a developed route tree. His route tree was largely limited to go balls, screens and slants. Sure, his speed is great. 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. Jones has the lateral speed that doesnt make him lose a step when running routes. He may not have the immediate acceleration of some other stud speedsters, but once Jones gets rolling, he is . 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 . Chargers Scouting Report: Tennessee WR Velus Jones Jr. Cole Topham. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst couldn't have made it more clear at the scouting combine: He wants Jordan Love to play more. Mock Draft Database Sites; NFL NBA NHL MLB. An amazing kick-punt returner who could be drafted as a special teamer. Uncomfortable seeing the ball in at times. So there's a question of whether he can improve much more or if he's close to his ceiling. Marquez Callaway has shown signs of being a No. Will Michael Thomas be back, and how close will he look to the receiver we last saw back in 2020? It took until his 2021 season at Tennessee to put it all together, recording 62 receptions for 807 yards and 7 touchdowns. Eligibility restrictions apply. The Bears passed up on a handful of more proven receivers, including Jalen Tolbert, Calvin Austin III and David Bell. Yahoo fa parte della famiglia di brand di Yahoo. 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. Six-year player, thanks in part to the added year of COVID-19 eligibility. The draft begins April 28. : Josh Heupel made 10 promises when he became Tennessee football coach. 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. Off the line, as you would expect, he is lightning quick. But what is great about this play is how he was untouched when making his way up field. NFL MOCK DRAFT. 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. Runs crisp routes with sharp cuts. Josh Heupel made 10 promises when he became Tennessee football coach. After six seasons in college football, Jones was projected to be only a fourth or fifth round pick in this years' NFL draft. (67%*), 30 7/8 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. As you would expect from a successful collegiate returner, Jones is fast. 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. 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 . He returned 23 kick for 628 yards, an average of 27.3 yards per return, and took one to the house. We can make the argument that if he just landed in that scheme to begin with, he could have flourished; but hes only just now getting started. And by not taking a receiver in Round 2, or an offensive lineman before Round 5, the Bears . All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Prior to last season, Jones had never had more than 280 receiving yards in a season. The most likely projection for Jones is a starting returner and speed threat off the bench. In 2021, Jones had 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven TDs for the Vols in the best season of his career. Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, and KhaDarel Hodge are all set to become free agents in March. 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. View fantasy football projections for Velus Jones Jr. (Chicago Bears). 30 Days and 30 Players the Colts are/could be interested in. It will likely take a couple of years for Jones to iron out either of these issues. New Orleans has a history of going after Tennessee prospects. Cliccando su Accetta tutto accetti che Yahoo e i suoi partner possano trattare i tuoi dati personali e utilizzare tecnologie come i cookie per mostrarti annunci e contenuti personalizzati, per la misurazione degli annunci e dei contenuti, per l'analisi del pubblico e per lo sviluppo dei prodotti. Jones was under-the-radar until last season, which makes him more intriguing as an NFL prospect, thought it probably means a late pick on day two or even day three. A lot more. The Packers could be looking to acquire a new kick returner in the 2022 NFL draft. After using their first two draft picks on defense, the Chicago Bears finally got quarterback Justin Fields a weapon in Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. with the 71st overall pick. . Jones stock rose during his final season at Tennessee. 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. Velus Jones Jr. enters the NFL after six seasons in college football, spending 2016-2019 at USC and 2020-2021 at Tennessee. This is why Jones will stick on an NFL roster despite likely not having high draft capital. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Jones speed is what gains him separation, not his route running. April 4, 2022 7:52 am ET. So why the sudden difference? Still, he possesses elite speed and showed real playmaking ability for the . An impressive athlete with very quick acceleration to reach his top speed quickly and stretch the field. (24%*), 4.31 (C) And his role in the NFL will likely be a complimentary weapon working across from an established No. However, USC has been loaded with WR talent, making it difficult for Jones to break through. Finally, some help for Justin Fields. Those little nuances are how high-level receivers get separation. One of their top ways to get Jones the ball was to stack him and another receiver on the far boundary. Velus Jones Jr. 167) - 1 - Green Bay Packers (No. 1. With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team . He finished as the FBS active leader with 2,973 kick return yards in his career. 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. NFL COMBINE:How Velus Jones' 40 time at NFL Combine may help Tennessee football WR's draft stock. (50%*), Drafted: ROUND: 3 - Pick Number: 71 (CHI), (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance), SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL. Tennessee footballs Velus Jones Jr. was selected by theChicago Bears in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 71st overall pick. This is why Jones will stick on an NFL roster despite likely not having high draft capital. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he backs that speed up on film. 71 overall . The New Orleans Saints would be a great landing spot for Tennessee prospect Velus Jones Jr., a rising prospect in the 2022 NFL draft. 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. 2, but New Orleans needs someone on the interior. Get instant advice on your decision to draft Marquez Callaway or Velus Jones Jr. in 2023. Velus Jones Jr.s speed and explosiveness are undeniable. His experience fielding kickoffs (hes returned 122 of them in 59 college games) should also help his case. 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. Maybe Jones will be great, but I dont get this pick. 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. Jones could step right in and make a difference as a return man. Mocks. 171) - 1 Round 6 - Cincinnati Bengals (No. Good effort and technique as a blocker for his size. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. 0:43. 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. "By the beach," Jones said, "get away from everything and enjoy this moment with close friends and family.". 22 TCU on Wednesday, March 1, Picks, predictions for Oklahoma vs. No. The Bears were looking for speed and they found it in Jones, who ran a 4.31-second 40-yard dash. 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). Even on his TD against Alabama, despite the ball being on the 11-yard line, the corner was giving him an 8-yard cushion. Returns, rushing and receiving has allowed Jones to rack up over 4,700 all-purpose yards. In his four years at USC, Jones recorded just 347 yards. Jones would fit right in for the Patriots on offense and special teams. 9 Texas vs. No. Fantasy Impact 9 3/4 But hell need to perform on offense to extend his career. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine (29%*), 74 2/8 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 . Scouting Report: Summary. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he backs that speed up on film. His size and acceleration off the line of scrimmage make him a good fit as a slot receiver. Jones also figures to contribute on special teams in the return game, where his speed and explosiveness can help with field position. 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. With the right NFL team, Jones could turn out to be a diamond in the rough. 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. Willing to go up and attack the ball. He waits until the very last second to make his way to the outside. Route tree is limited right now. 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. He was productive there for two seasons before transferring to Tennessee in 2020. McShay's NFL draft All-Satellite team: The 2022 class' best playmakers in space . In the passing game, teams will be drawn to his acceleration and ability to get down the field fast. Drink it in. Finally, the Chicago Bears got some wide receiver help for quarterback Justin Fields. Hes able to haul a back shoulder catch surrounded by three defenders. Plays like this are why Jones averaged 12.8 yards per reception at Tennessee, with 8.1 coming after the catch on average. As fantasy managers watch the NFL Draft, what does Velus Jones Jr.'s scouting report say, and which teams could be potential landing spots? 71 overall. Bill Belichick loves guys who can contribute in a multitude of ways, which should place Jones on his radar. Fits a zone system, can sift through oncoming traffic and explode through tiny creases and cutback lanes. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and . Current. Jones spent over 80% of his time inside last season. 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. Please check your email for a confirmation. WR Velus Jones Jr.: Scouting Report. In the film I was able to watch, I did not see a dropped pass. 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. It takes little time for him to accelerate and stack a corner. He brings an element of speed you cant teach and instantly makes your roster better. . He spent three years at Southern Cal and two years at Tennessee. His 4.31-second 40-yard dash made him the second-fastest wide receiver at this years NFL combine. Copyright 2019-2023. It started with his measurements as Jones Jr. measured in . Jones appeared in 61 games with 21 starts over six seasons at USC (2016-19) and Tennessee (2020-21). Not only is Jones a capable receiver, but he might be the best returner of the 2022 NFL Draft class. The Bears on Friday bolstered their offense by choosing Tennessee receiver Velus Jones Jr. in the third round of the NFL Draft at No. Thats one of the primary questions NFL teams ask themselves when scouting a player. Hes an unpolished route runner, but hes one of the best run-after-the-catch wideouts in this draft class. 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. WR Velus Jones Jr.: NFL Draft scouting report and fantasy football profile, Fantasy Basketball Picks: Top DraftKings NBA DFS Plays for March 1. Two of the three experts have him going to an NFC team in the fifth round. Jones speed and his ability to play through contact make himan intriguing option for a creative offensive play-caller. Jones the ball being on the far boundary passing game, where his speed and they found it in,... 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