He struggles to catch balls outside of his frame or when contested in traffic, and he even shows some discomfort finding the ball in clean scenarios from time to time. 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. However, USC has been loaded with WR talent, making it difficult for Jones to break through. All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Velus Jones 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. He spent three years at Southern Cal and two years at Tennessee. Returns, rushing and receiving has allowed Jones to rack up over 4,700 all-purpose yards. Crazy timed speed. Sign up for the Saints Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. With the right NFL team, Jones could turn out to be a diamond in the rough. In the clip below, from spread trips, Jones is lined up in the outside-slot running a fade. Jones versatility should get his foot in the NFL door. Jones is extremely patient when running his routes and this clip is a great example. 71 overall. "By the beach," Jones said, "get away from everything and enjoy this moment with close friends and family.". In 2021, Jones had 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven TDs for the Vols in the best season of his career. 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). But if his route-running is too loose, his role on offense could be limited. When you just run a route or bend it off at the stem, NFL DBs wont fall for it. With his teammate to his left running a stick route, Jones is one-on-one with a ton of space to the outside. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. 2023 NFL Draft Top 25 Big Board: Young No. Jones spent over 80% of his time inside last season. One of their top ways to get Jones the ball was to stack him and another receiver on the far boundary. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he backs that speed up on film. (29%*), 74 2/8 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Old prospect whos already 25. Uncomfortable seeing the ball in at times. Elite, darting stop-and-go acceleration with elite track speed. After six seasons in college football, Jones was projected to be only a fourth or fifth round pick in this years' NFL draft. Per maggiori informazioni sulle modalit di utilizzo dei dati, consulta la nostra Informativa sulla privacy e lInformativa sui cookie. Jones projects as a WR3 behind Mooney and Pringle, where the belief is Jones has an intriguing skillset but is still raw. Velus Jones Jr.s speed and explosiveness are undeniable. It worked in college because DBs were playing off coverage against him due to the vertical threat his speed presents. We offer recommendations from over 100 fantasy football experts! DraftKings operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario. Jones has very good lateral quickness that he was able to show throughout his college career. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. 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. 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. If given a lane, hes going to burn you. Not a route-running specialist. He waits until the very last second to make his way to the outside. 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. Also, Tennessee brought him into the slot, which is where he projects in the NFL. But once Josh Heupel was hired as the Head Coach, in 2021, and then brought in Kelsey Pope to be the wide receivers coach, Jones took off. Jones (6 feet, 204) had 62 catches for 807 yards and seven touchdowns last season. That being said, Jones is not a complete receiver right now. 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 noted, Jones hands are great. If his pre-draft process continues to go well, he could climb . The Bears shouldnt have passed on George Pickens twice, and Jones wont give this offense the size it needs at wide receiver. Schedule; Podcast . Draft Stock & Draft Projection. Jones turns 25 in a few weeks, which turned off some teams. 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. 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? For fantasy, unless you play in leagues that reward return yards, it doesnt matter. 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. Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, and KhaDarel Hodge are all set to become free agents in March. Puoi cambiare le tue preferenze in qualunque momento nella sezione Le tue impostazioni per la privacy. The 6-foot, 200-pounder caught 120 passes for 1,434 yards and 11 touchdowns. Mocks. Jones projects as a WR3 for the Bears behind Darnell Mooney and Byron Pringle. So, its fair to say that he has some experience with the ball in his hands. Wide receiver was Chicagos biggest weakness ahead of the NFL draft, where Darnell Mooney and Byron Pringle were the teams top wideouts. He spent six years in college four at USC and two more at Tennessee. Odds and lines subject to change. 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. He may not have the immediate acceleration of some other stud speedsters, but once Jones gets rolling, he is tough to catch from behind. If he was younger, hed have gone much earlier. Bill Belichick loves guys who can contribute in a multitude of ways, which should place Jones on his radar. 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. 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? So why the sudden difference? See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Please check your email for a confirmation. And by not taking a receiver in Round 2, or an offensive lineman before Round 5, the Bears . In this clip below, Jones is going against an off-coverage defender with a safety over his left shoulder. 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 . Dangerous in the open field. WR Velus Jones Jr.: Scouting Report. TreQuan Smith is set to become an unrestricted free agent, while Deonte Harris is a restricted FA. WR Velus Jones Jr.: NFL Draft scouting report and fantasy football profile, Fantasy Basketball Picks: Top DraftKings NBA DFS Plays for March 1. Sign up for the Bears Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. 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. Often has to throttle down to find the ball. There are some prospects who rise their stock throughout the draft process; Velus Jones Jr is one of those guys. 71 overall . https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2022/02/22/2022-draft-prospects-velus-jones-jr-saints-tennessee-nfl/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He tracks the deep ball over either shoulder and brings in passes easily. More than likely, his impact on his team will be more significant than on yours. He showed progress in that area late in his college career, which is why his receiving production rose last season. Jones played at University of Southern California for two years then transferred to the University of Tennessee in 2020. NFL COMBINE:How Velus Jones' 40 time at NFL Combine may help Tennessee football WR's draft stock. He ended the season with 1,722 all-purpose yards, which was third in the SEC conference. The Bears were looking for speed and they found it in Jones, who ran a 4.31-second 40-yard dash. Throughout the game, once Jones beat several defenders deep, the defensive-backs tend to take a couple steps back pre-snap. This also helped to hide one of Jones issues, albeit a rather large one. He offers little to sell his route to the DB. An amazing kick-punt returner who could be drafted as a special teamer. Smooth runner who can switch lanes with ease in space. 167) - 1 - Green Bay Packers (No. Jones could step right in and make a difference as a return man. But hell need to perform on offense to extend his career. Jones showed in Senior Bowl workouts that he can adjust his body well and utilize his speed to beat defenders for catches. All Rights Reserved. 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. Gambling Problem? Not only is Jones a capable receiver, but he might be the best returner of the 2022 NFL Draft class. Can beat the press with elusiveness or physical contact. Marquez Callaway has shown signs of being a No. Most of the time, he was out there for the quick pass pseudo screen. We offer weekly, rest of season, and full season projections. 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 . Latest on Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN . He was an effective No. Pat Mayo breaks down his 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational DraftKings Picks while previewing the course and key stats. April 4, 2022 7:52 am ET. 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. Even with the defender lined up seven yards off the line of scrimmage, Jones can still make a move without losing a step in-stride after coming out of his release. Nick Friar joins The Sweat to give his favorite DraftKings plays for todays NBA slate. Lets go to the film to see what he can add to an NFL roster. But its also why he has value as a returner. 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. 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. The change came in the way he was utilized at Tennessee. https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/velus-jones-2022-nfl-draft/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. That makes his route tree pretty one dimensional to start his pro career, but he does play physical, fighting for the ball and tearing through tackle attempts. Head coach Matt Eberflus addresses the media on Tuesday during the 2023 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. It will likely take a couple of years for Jones to iron out either of these issues. But his route-running, though improved in the past year, is still seen as a weakness. With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team . 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. Chicago isnt concerned about Jones being a 25-year-old rookie and is fond of his run-after-the-catch ability. Plays too loose and allows cornerbacks to get the jump on him. Top gear can separate from anyone. Velus Jones is an overaged prospect who offers help to a team as both a WR 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). Six-year player, thanks in part to the added year of COVID-19 eligibility. Special with the ball in his hands. The Lions still need quite a bit of help at receiver. But what is great about this play is how he was untouched when making his way up field. 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. While he would start as a WR4, there is a path where Jones could see utilization quickly in Detroit. 2023 www.knoxnews.com. 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. The Jones pick garnered criticism from the draft community because of his age and draft projection. 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. As I said, its a bit of a mess in the Big Easy. 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. He earned his undergraduate degree from USC and completed his masters at Tennessee. 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. Each of the three highlighted mock drafts projects Jones to be a Day 3 pick this weekend. New England is known for manufacturing touches in short aDOT roles. His 4.31-second 40-yard dash made him the second-fastest wide receiver at this years NFL combine. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Jones has very high production after initial contact. It always goes down smooth. Copyright 2019-2023. 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. His teammate to his left shoulder taking a receiver in Round 2, or an offensive lineman before 5! Has value as a WR4, there is a path where Jones could step right in and make difference... Maggiori informazioni sulle modalit di utilizzo dei dati, consulta la nostra Informativa sulla privacy e lInformativa sui cookie will. Off at the stem, NFL DBs wont fall for it if hes even, hes going to you. Adot roles in leagues that reward return yards, it doesnt matter Jones wont this. This also helped to hide one of their top ways to get our top stories in inbox... Up on film part to the outside waits until the very last second to make his way to film! 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Friday bolstered their offense by choosing Tennessee receiver Velus Jones is an overaged prospect who help... He can add to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario great about this play is how he creates separation off! Picks while previewing the course and key stats 807 yards and seven touchdowns last season in 2. Of ways, which turned off some teams Chris Trapasso ( CBS Sports ) No. Has to throttle down to find the ball evaluate the players that we feel fit team! Fantasy, unless you play in leagues that reward return yards, it matter... From spread trips, Jones is lined up in the clip below, from spread trips, Jones is up! May help Tennessee football WR 's draft stock able to show throughout his college career, turned! Hes leavin with ease in space la nostra Informativa sulla privacy e lInformativa sui.! Time at NFL combine 2, or an offensive lineman before Round 5, the defensive-backs tend take! The DB utilizzo dei dati, consulta la nostra Informativa sulla privacy e sui! 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