Not only is Jones a capable receiver, but he might be the best returner of the 2022 NFL Draft class. There are some prospects who rise their stock throughout the draft process; Velus Jones Jr is one of those guys. This gave Jones more room at the line of scrimmage to start getting the ball earlier in his routes. Kick-return specialty appears when hes catching the ball on offense. DeAndre Hopkins Dynasty Profile: Fantasy Outlook, Value, Projections, and Rankings, Keenan Allen Dynasty Profile: Fantasy Outlook, Value, Projections, and Rankings, Dalvin Cook Dynasty Profile: Fantasy Outlook, Value, Projections, and Rankings, James Conner Dynasty Profile: Fantasy Outlook, Value, Projections, and Rankings, Alvin Kamara Dynasty Profile: Fantasy Outlook, Value, Projections, and Rankings. Good contact balance with the ball in his hands. It took until his 2021 season at Tennessee to put it all together, recording 62 receptions for 807 yards and 7 touchdowns. 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 . 23 KR, 628 YDS (27.3 AVG), 1 TD, 18 PR, 272 YDS (15.1 AVG). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA (select parishes)/MD/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. The most likely projection for Jones is a starting returner and speed threat off the bench. Throwing him into the starting lineup right away wouldnt serve anyone well. NFL COMBINE:How Velus Jones' 40 time at NFL Combine may help Tennessee football WR's draft stock. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Jones generated 2.67 yards per route and a 131.0 passer rating on passes thrown his way. Knowing what he brings as a returner should endear him to head coach Dan Campbell. Bill Belichick loves guys who can contribute in a multitude of ways, which should place Jones on his radar. 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. With the NFL Draft closing in, which teams make the most sense for Jones as projected landing spots? Began his career at USC before transferring to Tennessee in 2020. 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 . YAC phenom in the Deebo Samuel mold. If given a lane, hes going to burn you. Please play responsibly. Does not always use his hands to secure deep throws, allowing the ball into his pads and chest. Please check your email for a confirmation. 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. What about the status of Alvin Kamara? 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. follow. A lot more. We offer weekly, rest of season, and full season projections. (67%*), 30 7/8 Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he backs that speed up on film. 71 overall. Those little nuances are how high-level receivers get separation. Round 5 - Dallas Cowboys (No. The Packers could be looking to acquire a new kick returner in the 2022 NFL draft. Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks. Not until the defender opens his hips and commits to the inside, does Jones make his break. This is what will keep him on a 53-man roster. Jones speed and his ability to play through contact make himan intriguing option for a creative offensive play-caller. 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. What will the New Orleans Saints look like in 2022? There are some prospects who rise their stock throughout the draft process; Velus Jones Jr is one of those guys. This is why Jones will stick on an NFL roster despite likely not having high draft capital. Jones, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, was a 2021 All-SEC selection as an all-purpose player and return specialist. Nick Friar joins The Sweat to give his favorite DraftKings plays for todays NBA slate. WR Velus Jones Jr.: Scouting Report. Jones played at University of Southern California for two years then transferred to the University of Tennessee in 2020. Does not flash much ability to catch outside of his frame or in traffic. Now theyll have to figure out how hell be utilized as a weapon for quarterback Justin Fields. Feb 28, 2023 . 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 projects as a WR3 for the Bears behind Darnell Mooney and Byron Pringle. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. The Bears passed up on a handful of more proven receivers, including Jalen Tolbert, Calvin Austin III and David Bell. With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team . As I said, its a bit of a mess in the Big Easy. Puoi cambiare le tue preferenze in qualunque momento nella sezione Le tue impostazioni per la privacy. In his four years at USC, Jones recorded just 347 yards. 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. 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 . Jones turns 25 in a few weeks, which turned off some teams. Velus Jones Jr. enters the NFL after six seasons in college football, spending 2016-2019 at USC and 2020-2021 at Tennessee. Route tree is limited right now. Get instant advice on your decision to draft Marquez Callaway or Velus Jones Jr. in 2023. 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. Comfortable running vertical routes. 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. Often has to throttle down to find the ball. Prior to last season, Jones had never had more than 280 receiving yards in a season. Last year, as a receiver, he caught 62 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. All rights reserved. Did he keep them? 2023 NFL Draft Top 25 Big Board: Young No. 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). Tennessee footballs Velus Jones Jr. was selected by theChicago Bears in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 71st overall pick. Odds and lines subject to change. 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. NFL DRAFT STOCK REPORT: Why Tennessee offensive lineman Cade Mays' draft stock is unpredictable at NFL Scouting Combine. 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. Jones could fit the mold. The Bears on Friday bolstered their offense by choosing Tennessee receiver Velus Jones Jr. in the third round of the NFL Draft at No. Take a shot on the speed of Jones in fantasy drafts and hope a team is patient enough to work through the growing pains at receiver. OVERALL. Jones spent over 80% of his time inside last season. Jones also figures to contribute on special teams in the return game, where his speed and explosiveness can help with field position. Im not saying this doesnt happen, but it simply is not a massive issue littered over his film. But what is great about this play is how he was untouched when making his way up field. Jones would fit right in for the Patriots on offense and special teams. 22 TCU on Wednesday, March 1, Picks, predictions for Oklahoma vs. No. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine 9 Texas vs. No. Who will be under center? Uncomfortable seeing the ball in at times. As noted, Jones hands are great. Crazy timed speed. The 2022 NFL draft will take place April 28-30 in Paradise, Nevada. 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. 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 . 9 3/4 Mocks. Jones (6 feet, 204) had 62 catches for 807 yards and seven touchdowns last season. : Josh Heupel made 10 promises when he became Tennessee football coach. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). In the film I was able to watch, I did not see a dropped pass. He has quite a ways to go as a route runner. 0:43. 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. 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. The Patriots make too much sense as a landing spot for Jones. Pro Football Network, LLC. When you just run a route or bend it off at the stem, NFL DBs wont fall for it. Listed at 6-foot . 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). 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 all began at the Reeses Senior Bowl, then he backed it up at the NFL Combine. 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. Most sense for Jones is a starting returner and speed threat off the bench predictions for Oklahoma vs. No a. Offer weekly, rest of season, Jones recorded just 347 yards always use his hands to secure deep,... Watch, I did not see a dropped pass utilized as a,. 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