What will the New Orleans Saints look like in 2022? Velus Jones Jr . May 01, 2022 at 11:30 AM. Then his performance at the Senior Bowl in his hometown of Mobile helped too. Does not always use his hands to secure deep throws, allowing the ball into his pads and chest. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he backs that speed up on film. If he was younger, hed have gone much earlier. So, its fair to say that he has some experience with the ball in his hands. It took until his sixth collegiate season to earn a consistent starting role, but the lull was worth it. He returned 23 kick for 628 yards, an average of 27.3 yards per return, and took one to the house. 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. But what is great about this play is how he was untouched when making his way up field. All rights reserved. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst couldn't have made it more clear at the scouting combine: He wants Jordan Love to play more. Chargers Scouting Report: Tennessee WR Velus Jones Jr. Cole Topham. So there are questions of whether he can improve much more. He offers little to sell his route to the DB. Jones Jr. leaves college football after assembling his best season where his role in the offense led to the most opportunities for his . Velus Jones Jr. Sure, his speed is great. 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. 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 . Jones also figures to contribute on special teams in the return game, where his speed and explosiveness can help with field position. Jones versatility should get his foot in the NFL door. 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. 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. https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/velus-jones-2022-nfl-draft/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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 . The most likely projection for Jones is a starting returner and speed threat off the bench. Jones could fit the mold. 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. 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. . 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. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Finally, the Chicago Bears got some wide receiver help for quarterback Justin Fields. In his four years at USC, Jones recorded just 347 yards. He would be a good pick on the third day of the draft, especially if the Saints add a more-established weapon sooner. Two reasons: 1) @VelusJr was second-fastest offensive prospect at Senior Bowl21.75 mph @ZebraTechnology2) routes like this pic.twitter.com/JE4BtS6Pkx, Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 20, 2022. Im not saying this doesnt happen, but it simply is not a massive issue littered over his film. 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. Hes a developmental prospect at receiver, but hes certainly got an intriguing skillset to work with. Jones projects as a WR3 behind Mooney and Pringle, where the belief is Jones has an intriguing skillset but is still raw. Plays fast and confident. Current. 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. His route tree was largely limited to go balls, screens and slants. And his role in the NFL will likely be a complimentary weapon working across from an established No. Does well to separate down the field. 1. Josh Heupel made 10 promises when he became Tennessee football coach. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. It all began at the Reeses Senior Bowl, then he backed it up at the NFL Combine. He was productive there for two seasons before transferring to Tennessee in 2020. Still, he possesses elite speed and showed real playmaking ability for the Vols in 2021. Jones patiently waited for his opportunity to showcase his talents, resulting in a scouting report full of potential. 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. (50%*), Drafted: ROUND: 3 - Pick Number: 71 (CHI), (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance), SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL. One thing that cannot be ignored is his breakout season once he got into the right system. Jones is one of 324 prospects invited to the combine, which makes him potentially draftable. Mock Draft Database Sites; NFL NBA NHL MLB. Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In the clip below, from spread trips, Jones is lined up in the outside-slot running a fade. 9 Texas vs. No. Marquez Callaway has shown signs of being a No. It started with his measurements as Jones Jr. measured in . Dangerous in the open field. He has quite a ways to go as a route runner. 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 . This gave Jones more room at the line of scrimmage to start getting the ball earlier in his routes. That and his punt return work, also excellent, earned him a nod as the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2021. John Amis/AP. Why Tennessee offensive lineman Cade Mays' draft stock is unpredictable at NFL Scouting Combine. Runs crisp routes with sharp cuts. With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team . Jones also showed an ability to control his body on the sidelines and get his feet in bounds, staying cognizant of where he is in relation to the sidelines. For one, Jones does not possess a developed route tree. Feb 28, 2023 . 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. In all likelihood, in most standard leagues, Jones wont be on the fantasy radar this season. WR Velus Jones Jr.: Scouting Report. 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. The only thing that fantasy managers care about is what Jones does on the offensive side of the ball. 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 . Past. Not a route-running specialist. Please check your email for a confirmation. Jones appeared in 61 games with 21 starts over six seasons at USC (2016-19) and Tennessee (2020-21). So there's a question of whether he can improve much more or if he's close to his ceiling. His 4.31-second 40-yard dash made him the second-fastest wide receiver at this years NFL combine. Six-year player, thanks in part to the added year of COVID-19 eligibility. 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. Jones has played five seasons at two premier Power 5 programs, and hell turn 25 years old in May. Theres certainly potential with Jones, whos the best yards-after-the-catch receiver in this draft class. 209, Cincinnati Bengals. But hes a compact, physical receiver who was used as a jack of all trades for the Vols. Mostly a screen-and-go ball player at this stage. It will likely take a couple of years for Jones to iron out either of these issues. Often has to throttle down to find the ball. 22 TCU on Wednesday, March 1, Picks, predictions for Oklahoma vs. No. Jones projects as a WR3 for the Bears behind Darnell Mooney and Byron Pringle. 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. Maybe Jones joins them. 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. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and . He finished as the FBS active leader with 2,973 kick return yards in his career. 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 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). 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