OVERALL. If given a lane, hes going to burn you. Elite, darting stop-and-go acceleration with elite track speed. 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. Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks. McShay's NFL draft All-Satellite team: The 2022 class' best playmakers in space . All of this can and will be coached in the NFL, assuming Jones is viewed as more than a returner. The only thing that fantasy managers care about is what Jones does on the offensive side of the ball. 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. Latest on Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN . Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he backs that speed up on film. Jones, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, spent three years . It worked in college because DBs were playing off coverage against him due to the vertical threat his speed presents. Those little nuances are how high-level receivers get separation. He thrived in the no-huddle offense where he was primarily running routes out of the slot. 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 . On the boundary, its either a hitch, deep post, or a vertical route. Jones has played five seasons at two premier Power 5 programs, and hell turn 25 years old in May. 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). 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. Last year, as a receiver, he caught 62 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. As wide receiver alone, Jones may be a coin flip as an NFL player. He was heavily involved in quick passes behind the line of scrimmage. DCS chief: Tenn. has stopped housing kids in offices in all but one county, How Velus Jones' 40 time at NFL Combine may help Tennessee football WR's draft stock, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. We are now in the throws of Pro Day season. So why the sudden difference? In all likelihood, in most standard leagues, Jones wont be on the fantasy radar this season. Tennessee footballs Velus Jones Jr. was selected by theChicago Bears in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 71st overall pick. 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. Head coach Matt Eberflus addresses the media on Tuesday during the 2023 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. March 10, 2022 10:00 am PT. He was an effective No. Still, he possesses elite speed and showed real playmaking ability for the Vols in 2021. The Lions still need quite a bit of help at receiver. But if his route-running is too loose, his role on offense could be limited. He only pulled in 22 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns his first year. His speed brings an element most teams are not ready for defensively. Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks. 23 KR, 628 YDS (27.3 AVG), 1 TD, 18 PR, 272 YDS (15.1 AVG). Has rare suddenness with lightning footwork to create in tight areas with elusive shiftiness and change-of-direction skills. Pro Football Network, LLC. Jones would fit right in for the Patriots on offense and special teams. Thats one of the primary questions NFL teams ask themselves when scouting a player. Round 5 - Dallas Cowboys (No. 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. Even on his TD against Alabama, despite the ball being on the 11-yard line, the corner was giving him an 8-yard cushion. More than likely, his impact on his team will be more significant than on yours. As you would expect from a successful collegiate returner, Jones is fast. It started with his measurements as Jones Jr. measured in . 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). 2 receiver in the Vols offense, ranking second on the team in receptions (62), receiving yards (807), and touchdown catches (7) while playing in all 13 games. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. It will likely take a couple of years for Jones to iron out either of these issues. It takes little time for him to accelerate and stack a corner. Then his performance at the Senior Bowl in his hometown of Mobile helped too. Does not flash much ability to catch outside of his frame or in traffic. In this clip below, Jones is going against an off-coverage defender with a safety over his left shoulder. 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. Throwing him into the starting lineup right away wouldnt serve anyone well. However, USC has been loaded with WR talent, making it difficult for Jones to break through. Jones patiently waited for his opportunity to showcase his talents, resulting in a scouting report full of potential. But he needs to run a fast 40-yard dash and show crisp route-running to catch the eye of a team searching for a late-round pick. 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. Hes a developmental prospect at receiver, but hes certainly got an intriguing skillset to work with. Sign up for the Saints Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. 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. Wide receiver was Chicagos biggest weakness ahead of the NFL draft, where Darnell Mooney and Byron Pringle were the teams top wideouts. 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. 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). Draft Stock & Draft Projection. 71 overall. 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. 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. . Good effort and technique as a blocker for his size. Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, and KhaDarel Hodge are all set to become free agents in March. There are some prospects who can run a 4.31 forty-yard dash at the NFL combine but play a lot slower in-game. 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. Void in ONT. 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. 71 overall . Doesnt quite play to that level. Plays too loose and allows cornerbacks to get the jump on him. Plays like this are why Jones averaged 12.8 yards per reception at Tennessee, with 8.1 coming after the catch on average. Did he keep them? Bill Belichick loves guys who can contribute in a multitude of ways, which should place Jones on his radar. Drink it in. 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. 9 Texas vs. No. Now being mocked to go in the second or third round. NFL scouts have been in draft meetings past couple weeks and hearing @Vol_Football WR Velus Jones Jr. is getting pushed up many boards. 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. And then Jones parlayed that production into a big week at the Senior Bowl, impressing NFL scouts and coaches in attendance. ET on Thursday. Does not always use his hands to secure deep throws, allowing the ball into his pads and chest. DraftKings operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario. 30 Days and 30 Players the Colts are/could be interested in. Willing to go up and attack the ball. Jones returned kicks in all five seasons he played, as well as returned punts for Tennessee in 2021. 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. 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. It took until his sixth collegiate season to earn a consistent starting role, but the lull was worth it. Introducing a new series to the site that will take us right up to draft night. 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. And if there were any questions that he only has track speed, Jones was just as fast in game situations. Maybe Jones will be great, but I dont get this pick. What will the offense look like without Sean Payton? Jones is extremely patient when running his routes and this clip is a great example. 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. GRADE: 6.4 (High-level Developmental Prospect - 5th Round). 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. Operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario flash much ability to catch outside of his frame in! Are/Could be interested in with 8.1 coming after the catch on average Tuesday during the 2023 NFL combine, hell! 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