This is why Jones will stick on an NFL roster despite likely not having high draft capital. Kick-return specialty appears when hes catching the ball on offense. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. While unpolished, Jones was also unguardable at the Senior Bowl. 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. 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. Jones versatility should get his foot in the NFL door. 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). Jones projects as a WR3 for the Bears behind Darnell Mooney and Byron Pringle. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Kyle Lowry headline NBA injury report for Wednesday, March 1, Picks, predictions for Penn State vs. Northwestern on Wednesday, March 1, Picks, predictions for No. Chargers Scouting Report: Tennessee WR Velus Jones Jr. Cole Topham. Follow full coverage of Velus Jones Jr. during the 2022 NFL Draft on ESPN.com. But hell need to perform on offense to extend his career. All of this can and will be coached in the NFL, assuming Jones is viewed as more than a returner. Pro Football Network, LLC. A lot more. Jones burst well after the catch but needs work to be trusted in an expanded capacity. 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 . But its also why he has value as a returner. He finished last season as the FBS active leader with 2,973 kick return yards in his career and participated in the Senior Bowl. (97%*), 4.51 (P) 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. We are now in the throws of Pro Day season. 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). Does not always use his hands to secure deep throws, allowing the ball into his pads and chest. Jones showed in Senior Bowl workouts that he can adjust his body well and utilize his speed to beat defenders for catches. Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. 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. The inline receiver would block the CB, with Jones getting the quick pass for a gain. 1. After six seasons in college football, Jones was projected to be only a fourth or fifth round pick in this years NFL draft. ET on Thursday. 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 too loose and allows cornerbacks to get the jump on him. The NFL . Great speed. 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. 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. "By the beach," Jones said, "get away from everything and enjoy this moment with close friends and family.". It started with his measurements as Jones Jr. measured in . 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). 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. 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. 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. Does well to separate down the field. Finally, the Chicago Bears got some wide receiver help for quarterback Justin Fields. Does not flash much ability to catch outside of his frame or in traffic. 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 . That being said, Jones is not a complete receiver right now. We offer weekly, rest of season, and full season projections. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst couldn't have made it more clear at the scouting combine: He wants Jordan Love to play more. Also, Tennessee brought him into the slot, which is where he projects in the NFL. An impressive athlete with very quick acceleration to reach his top speed quickly and stretch the field. This is why Jones will stick on an NFL roster despite likely not having high draft capital. 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? It takes little time for him to accelerate and stack a corner. 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 . NFL MOCK DRAFT. 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. Theres certainly potential with Jones, whos the best yards-after-the-catch receiver in this draft class. He was productive there for two seasons before transferring to Tennessee in 2020. The Chicago Bears select Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Velus Jones in Round 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft with the No. Fits a zone system, can sift through oncoming traffic and explode through tiny creases and cutback lanes. 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. Covers a lot of ground in the short half of the field and is slippery after the catch. Did he keep them? We offer recommendations from over 100 fantasy football experts! https://bearswire.usatoday.com/lists/bears-velus-jones-jr-nfl-draft-2022-expert-grades/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Velus Jones Jr. is one of the oldest prospects in the draft, and he didn't break out until his sixth season in college. May 01, 2022 at 11:30 AM. Uncomfortable seeing the ball in at times. 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. Tennessee wide receiver/return specialistVelus Jones Jr. is working out at the NFL Scouting Combine this week in hopes of convincing a team to draft him. 209) - 1. 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). Good effort and technique as a blocker for his size. In 2021, Jones had 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven TDs for the Vols in the best season of his career. In the passing game, teams will be drawn to his acceleration and ability to get down the field fast. But the team missed its opportunity to find a legit target earlier in the process. Jones projects as a WR3 behind Mooney and Pringle, where the belief is Jones has an intriguing skillset but is still raw. But hes a compact, physical receiver who was used as a jack of all trades for the Vols. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. 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. 2023 Mock Drafts 2024 Mock Drafts 2025 Mock Drafts. The Lions still need quite a bit of help at receiver. GRADE: 6.4 (High . 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 could fit the mold. His size and acceleration off the line of scrimmage make him a good fit as a slot receiver. Draft Stock & Draft Projection. It all began at the Reeses Senior Bowl, then he backed it up at the NFL Combine. Jones, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, spent three years . There are some prospects who rise their stock throughout the draft process; Velus Jones Jr is one of those guys. Jones has excellent speed (ran 4.31), but this is a head-scratching pick by the Bears. He may not have the immediate acceleration of some other stud speedsters, but once Jones gets rolling, he is tough to catch from behind. This is also where things get a bit trickier from an evaluation standpoint. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. And his role in the NFL will likely be a complimentary weapon working across from an established No. Still, he possesses elite speed and showed real playmaking ability for the . 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 . Jones speed is what gains him separation, not his route running. The Bears were looking for speed and they found it in Jones, who ran a 4.31-second 40-yard dash. Feb 28, 2023 . 23 KR, 628 YDS (27.3 AVG), 1 TD, 18 PR, 272 YDS (15.1 AVG). 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. Any NFL quarterback would throw this ball as soon as they see the defensive back run a complete 360 degrees as his receiver is making his break. Latest on Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN . 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. We break down Tennessee Velus Jones Jr. with a scouting report and fantasy football outlook heading into the 2022 NFL Draft. 255, Los Angeles Chargers, Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News): No. 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 . In this clip below, Jones is going against an off-coverage defender with a safety over his left shoulder. 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. Velus Jones Jr. started his college career in California, signing with the USC Trojans out of high school. 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. 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. Maybe Jones will be great, but I dont get this pick. 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. Still, he possesses elite speed and showed real playmaking ability for the Vols in 2021. It all began at the Reese's Senior Bowl, then he backed it up at the NFL Combine. Introducing a new series to the site that will take us right up to draft night. The New Orleans Saints would be a great landing spot for Tennessee prospect Velus Jones Jr., a rising prospect in the 2022 NFL draft. 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