Uncomfortable seeing the ball in at times. Velus Jones Jr. Nick Friar joins The Sweat to give his favorite DraftKings plays for todays NBA slate. Bill Belichick loves guys who can contribute in a multitude of ways, which should place Jones on his radar. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Jones versatility should get his foot in the NFL door. 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. 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. Plays like this are why Jones averaged 12.8 yards per reception at Tennessee, with 8.1 coming after the catch on average. 71 overall. 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. For a team with limited resources, why spend a Day 2 pick on a soon-to-be 25-year-old rookie slot receiver with one year of production? In all likelihood, in most standard leagues, Jones wont be on the fantasy radar this season. But Jones played five seasons in two premier Power 5 programs, and hell turn 25 in May. NFL DRAFT STOCK REPORT: Why Tennessee offensive lineman Cade Mays' draft stock is unpredictable at NFL Scouting Combine. With Jones turning 25 years old at start of the 2022 NFL season, there are some concerns within the draft community on how much he could actually improve after getting to the next level. Schedule; Podcast . But his route-running, though improved in the past year, is still seen as a weakness. View fantasy football projections for Velus Jones Jr. (Chicago Bears). Velus Jones Jr. is one of the oldest prospects in the draft, and he didnt break out until his sixth season in college. Jones could step right in and make a difference as a return man. Jones also figures to contribute on special teams in the return game, where his speed and explosiveness can help with field position. 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. If given a lane, hes going to burn you. But the team missed its opportunity to find a legit target earlier in the process. We break down Tennessee Velus Jones Jr. with a scouting report and fantasy football outlook heading into the 2022 NFL Draft. This is why Jones will stick on an NFL roster despite likely not having high draft capital. 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. Bears Senior Writer. 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. It always goes down smooth. Clicca su Gestisci impostazioni per maggiori informazioni e per gestire le tue scelte. 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. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. 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). 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. Jones played at University of Southern California for two years then transferred to the University of Tennessee in 2020. Plays fast and explosive. Jones would fit right in for the Patriots on offense and special teams. 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. Jones, who will be 25 years old when the 2022 season begins, is lightning quick (4.31 40 at the combine) and will help in the return game. -Kiper, Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports): No. He ended the season with 1,722 all-purpose yards, which was third in the SEC conference. In his six years yes, six years Jones recorded almost 3,000 kick return yards while attending both USC (2016-2019) and Tennessee (2020-2021). 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. This is also where things get a bit trickier from an evaluation standpoint. That said, hes an explosive pass-catcher with elite speed who should help Darnell Mooney challenge opposing defenses. GRADE: 6.4 (High-level Developmental Prospect - 5th Round). (29%*), 74 2/8 Where he really stood out was on special teams as a kick returner. 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. The Bears passed up on a handful of more proven receivers, including Jalen Tolbert, Calvin Austin III and David Bell. All rights reserved. DATABASE. An impressive athlete with very quick acceleration to reach his top speed quickly and stretch the field. (50%*), Drafted: ROUND: 3 - Pick Number: 71 (CHI), (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance), SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL. Oh, and how do they handle being a projected $76.16 million over the salary cap? In his four years at USC, Jones recorded just 347 yards. 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 . 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. Theres certainly potential with Jones, whos the best yards-after-the-catch receiver in this draft class. Throwing him into the starting lineup right away wouldnt serve anyone well. 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. Based on his scouting report, fantasy managers should keep their eye on these NFL franchises come draft day. Willing to go up and attack the ball. In this clip below, Jones is going against an off-coverage defender with a safety over his left shoulder. The Bears shouldnt have passed on George Pickens twice, and Jones wont give this offense the size it needs at wide receiver. Furthermore, Jones' hands are a concern. When you just run a route or bend it off at the stem, NFL DBs wont fall for it. OVERALL. Jones showed in Senior Bowl workouts that he can adjust his body well and utilize his speed to beat defenders for catches. With the right NFL team, Jones could turn out to be a diamond in the rough. Jones, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, spent three years at Southern Cal and two years at Tennessee. Not a route-running specialist. 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. Mocks. Former Tennessee speedster Velus Jones Jr. revealed he was in Green Bay on Tuesday, April 5 when he shared a . Special with the ball in his hands. As wide receiver alone, Jones may be a coin flip as an NFL player. Those little nuances are how high-level receivers get separation. Marquez Callaway has shown signs of being a No. And then Jones parlayed that production into a big week at the Senior Bowl, impressing NFL scouts and coaches in attendance. 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. Jones is extremely patient when running his routes and this clip is a great example. 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 . He would be a good pick on the third day of the draft, especially if the Saints add a more-established weapon sooner. Ethan Wolf and Bryce Thompson are also returning for 2022 from the Saints practice squad. Now theyll have to figure out how hell be utilized as a weapon for quarterback Justin Fields. His experience fielding kickoffs (hes returned 122 of them in 59 college games) should also help his case. Please check your email for a confirmation. This is why Jones will stick on an NFL roster despite likely not having high draft capital. Listed at 6-foot . The draft begins April 28. He only pulled in 22 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns his first year. In 2021, Jones had 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven TDs for the Vols in the best season of his career. He spent three years at Southern Cal and two years at Tennessee. As you would expect from a successful collegiate returner, Jones is fast. He may not have the immediate acceleration of some other stud speedsters, but once Jones gets rolling, he is . It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Has rare suddenness with lightning footwork to create in tight areas with elusive shiftiness and change-of-direction skills. With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team . 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. 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. Sure, his speed is great. Introducing a new series to the site that will take us right up to draft night. NFL MOCK DRAFT. 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. 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. 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. Dangerous in the open field. 11 Kansas State on Wednesday, March 1, Jalen Carter charged with misdemeanors in traffic death near Georgia campus, Fantasy Basketball Picks: Top DraftKings NBA DFS Targets, Values for March 1. McShay's NFL draft All-Satellite team: The 2022 class' best playmakers in space . 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. But it mightve been a reach on Chicagos part to select him with the seventh pick in the third round. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he backs that speed up on film. It takes little time for him to accelerate and stack a corner. Thats one of the primary questions NFL teams ask themselves when scouting a player. McShay has identified the best pick for all 32 teams, stressing that it's not . What will the offense look like without Sean Payton? Past. . 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. He thrived in the no-huddle offense where he was primarily running routes out of the slot. As things continue to deteriorate between All-Pro receiver Deebo Samuel and the 49ers, the team is doing its due diligence on draft prospects.Tennessee receiver Velus Jones Jr. met with the 49ers . 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). The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Runs crisp routes with sharp cuts. So, its fair to say that he has some experience with the ball in his hands. 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. 9 Texas vs. No. DraftKings operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario. If he was younger, hed have gone much earlier. However, USC has been loaded with WR talent, making it difficult for Jones to break through. Head coach Matt Eberflus addresses the media on Tuesday during the 2023 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Though he can excel at both, Jones' build-up speed and weaving rushing style make him a great fit to return kicks from Day 1. Two of the three experts have him going to an NFC team in the fifth round. ET on Thursday. Larry Mayer. Not until the defender opens his hips and commits to the inside, does Jones make his break. Odds and lines subject to change. It worked in college because DBs were playing off coverage against him due to the vertical threat his speed presents. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he backs that speed up on film. 209) - 1. If his pre-draft process continues to go well, he could climb . 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. Draft Stock & Draft Projection. Ahead of the 2022 NFL draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. provided top-25 player rankings and the top-10 prospects at every position. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Scouting Report: Summary. Too bad they did so by investing in an older prospect, one whose primary function coming into the league will likely be as a returner. Hes able to haul a back shoulder catch surrounded by three defenders. WR Velus Jones Jr.: NFL Draft scouting report and fantasy football profile, Fantasy Basketball Picks: Top DraftKings NBA DFS Plays for March 1. With his teammate to his left running a stick route, Jones is one-on-one with a ton of space to the outside. After six seasons in college football, Jones was projected to be only a fourth or fifth round pick in this years' NFL draft. Jones generated 2.67 yards per route and a 131.0 passer rating on passes thrown his way. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). He was clocked as the second-fastest offensive player at the Senior Bowl, according to Zebra Technology, which measures players speed in pads in live action. Fits a zone system, can sift through oncoming traffic and explode through tiny creases and cutback lanes. Jones projects as a WR3 for the Bears behind Darnell Mooney and Byron Pringle. Despite the lesser QB play from Kedon Slovis to Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton, Tennessee manufactured touches for Jones. Please check your email for a confirmation. The 6-foot, 200-pounder caught 120 passes for 1,434 yards and 11 touchdowns. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst couldn't have made it more clear at the scouting combine: He wants Jordan Love to play more. Pete Carroll and John Schneider knew they had to change their draft philosophy in 2022, and they explained it at the scouting combine. He showed progress in that area late in his college career, which is why his receiving production rose last season. PFN Senior Draft Director Cam Mellor noted this while at the Senior Bowl earlier in the month. Sometimes, that is because there are some speedsters who can only run fast when going in a straight line. Knowing what he brings as a returner should endear him to head coach Dan Campbell. Please play responsibly. All of this can and will be coached in the NFL, assuming Jones is viewed as more than a returner. 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. 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). 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. While unpolished, Jones was also unguardable at the Senior Bowl. Jones fakes to the inside and gets open shortly after the sticks. (4%*), 121 (C) https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/velus-jones-2022-nfl-draft/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. And his role in the NFL will likely be a complimentary weapon working across from an established No. 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. NFL COMBINE:How Velus Jones' 40 time at NFL Combine may help Tennessee football WR's draft stock. One of their top ways to get Jones the ball was to stack him and another receiver on the far boundary.
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