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. Latest on Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN . We offer recommendations from over 100 fantasy football experts! The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Top gear can separate from anyone. Mel Kiper/Todd McShay (ESPN): No. Plays too loose and allows cornerbacks to get the jump on him. Jones could step right in and make a difference as a return man. We can make the argument that if he just landed in that scheme to begin with, he could have flourished; but hes only just now getting started. Hes able to haul a back shoulder catch surrounded by three defenders. Has decent hands any NFL wide receiver coach and quarterback would covet. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). He may not have the immediate acceleration of some other stud speedsters, but once Jones gets rolling, he is tough to catch from behind. Void in ONT. 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 earned his undergraduate degree from USC and completed his masters at Tennessee. 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. 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. 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. This is also where things get a bit trickier from an evaluation standpoint. 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. Did he keep them? Needs to tighten up route running. He offers little to sell his route to the DB. Not only is Jones a capable receiver, but he might be the best returner of the 2022 NFL Draft class. 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 one, Jones does not possess a developed route tree. Velus Jones is an overaged prospect who offers help to a team as both a WR and kick returner. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine
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 . The Bears were looking for speed and they found it in Jones, who ran a 4.31-second 40-yard dash. Lets go to the film to see what he can add to an NFL roster. This is what will keep him on a 53-man roster. The draft begins April 28. TreQuan Smith is set to become an unrestricted free agent, while Deonte Harris is a restricted FA. But what is great about this play is how he was untouched when making his way up field. Does not always use his hands to secure deep throws, allowing the ball into his pads and chest. Ahead of the 2022 NFL draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. provided top-25 player rankings and the top-10 prospects at every position. Where he really stood out was on special teams as a kick returner. 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). Whether that means spending an early-round pick on a top prospect or investing in a veteran free agent, youd like to see New Orleans double down on the receiving corps. Mostly a screen-and-go ball player at this stage. All rights reserved. He brings an element of speed you cant teach and instantly makes your roster better. It started with his measurements as Jones Jr. measured in . With Jones turning 25 years old at start of the 2022 NFL season, there are some concerns within the draft community on how much he could actually improve after getting to the next level. Jones has excellent speed (ran 4.31), but this is a head-scratching pick by the Bears. Theres certainly potential with Jones, whos the best yards-after-the-catch receiver in this draft class. As you would expect from a successful collegiate returner, Jones is fast. Velus (pronounced VAY-lus) Jones Jr.'s path to the 2022 NFL Draft went through Alabama, Southern California, and Tennessee. Good effort and technique as a blocker for his size. Plays fast and confident. 2, but New Orleans needs someone on the interior. Last year, as a receiver, he caught 62 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. The best hope for Jones is to establish himself as a blue chip special teams player with the speed and physicality to be a solid role player in the passing game. Odds and lines subject to change. Velus Jones Jr.s speed and explosiveness are undeniable. Mocks. At the stem is where Jones is the weakest. With the right NFL team, Jones could turn out to be a diamond in the rough. 2023 NFL Draft Top 25 Big Board: Young No. 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. For fantasy, unless you play in leagues that reward return yards, it doesnt matter. Drink it in. Began his career at USC before transferring to Tennessee in 2020. Not only is Jones a capable receiver, but he might be the best returner of the 2022 NFL Draft class. New England is known for manufacturing touches in short aDOT roles. OVERALL. There are some prospects who rise their stock throughout the draft process; Velus Jones Jr is one of those guys. As wide receiver alone, Jones may be a coin flip as an NFL player. Jones burst well after the catch but needs work to be trusted in an expanded capacity. Route tree is limited right now. With the NFL Draft closing in, which teams make the most sense for Jones as projected landing spots? Jones does offer immediate special teams value, though. That and his punt return work, also excellent, earned him a nod as the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2021. The issue is we dont know how long this will take, nor how long a team is willing to wait for this improvement to come. The Jones pick garnered criticism from the draft community because of his age and draft projection. Get the latest on Chicago Bears WR Velus Jones Jr. including news, stats, videos, and more on CBSSports.com . 167) - 1 - Green Bay Packers (No. On the boundary, its either a hitch, deep post, or a vertical route. As fantasy managers watch the NFL Draft, what does Velus Jones Jr.'s scouting report say, and which teams could be potential landing spots? Plays fast and explosive. In this clip below, Jones is going against an off-coverage defender with a safety over his left shoulder. But its also why he has value as a returner. It all began at the Reeses Senior Bowl, then he backed it up at the NFL Combine. Jones is a flawed route-runner. Jones would fit right in for the Patriots on offense and special teams. The Chicago Bears select Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Velus Jones in Round 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft with the No. 209) - 1. In his four years at USC, Jones recorded just 347 yards. Follow full coverage of Velus Jones Jr. during the 2022 NFL Draft on ESPN.com. GRADE: 6.4 (High-level Developmental Prospect - 5th Round). Now being mocked to go in the second or third round. (29%*), 74 2/8
The inline receiver would block the CB, with Jones getting the quick pass for a gain. When you just run a route or bend it off at the stem, NFL DBs wont fall for it. Jones turns 25 in a few weeks, which turned off some teams. Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks. In the passing game, teams will be drawn to his acceleration and ability to get down the field fast. . 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 . 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. Heres a collection of all of the grades for Jones from various sports outlets, and the analysts think the Bears mightve reached on Jones, who has electric speed but remains unproven. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Sure, his speed is great. 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 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. This also helped to hide one of Jones issues, albeit a rather large one. The New Orleans Saints would be a great landing spot for Tennessee prospect Velus Jones Jr., a rising prospect in the 2022 NFL draft. The only thing that fantasy managers care about is what Jones does on the offensive side of the ball. 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. Please check your email for a confirmation. Former Tennessee Volunteer Wide Receiver Velus Jones Jr. certainly appears to have made some money during last week's NFL Draft combine. As I said, its a bit of a mess in the Big Easy. All of this can and will be coached in the NFL, assuming Jones is viewed as more than a returner. Next up is Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. Jones will watch the 87th NFL Draft at a beach house in Gulf Shores. Not a route-running specialist. (24%*), 4.31 (C)
Off the line, as you would expect, he is lightning quick. 1. Will Michael Thomas be back, and how close will he look to the receiver we last saw back in 2020? Can beat the press with elusiveness or physical contact. 90, Tennessee Titans, Tennessee doesnt have its second-round pick because of last years Julio Jones trade, so it could use this pick to add a playmaker for Ryan Tannehill. He tracks the deep ball over either shoulder and brings in passes easily. Last season, Jones caught 62 passes for over 800 yards, seven touchdowns and had three games where he had over 100+ receiving yards. Now theyll have to figure out how hell be utilized as a weapon for quarterback Justin Fields. Fits a zone system, can sift through oncoming traffic and explode through tiny creases and cutback lanes. Despite the lesser QB play from Kedon Slovis to Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton, Tennessee manufactured touches for Jones. 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. Special with the ball in his hands. There are some prospects who can run a 4.31 forty-yard dash at the NFL combine but play a lot slower in-game. 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. It worked in college because DBs were playing off coverage against him due to the vertical threat his speed presents. Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks. A very old player who will be 25 by the time he takes the field in the NFL, Has a very limited route tree and the routes he did run were often rounded, Has had very limited production as a receiver throughout his college career - with the exception of 2021, Has only really played in the slot and has very little experience out wide, Not a great catch radius and his football IQ is not as high as you would like, Runs with a weird kind of stutter-step that makes his less fluid, Only offers an impact as a gadget player and a deep threat. Given the need, watch out for New Orleans to look at Jones later in the draft. The Bears passed up on a handful of more proven receivers, including Jalen Tolbert, Calvin Austin III and David Bell. Doesnt quite play to that level. Most of the time, he was out there for the quick pass pseudo screen. While he would start as a WR4, there is a path where Jones could see utilization quickly in Detroit. Two of the three experts have him going to an NFC team in the fifth round. 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. 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. An impressive athlete with very quick acceleration to reach his top speed quickly and stretch the field. Listed at 6-foot . But his route-running, though improved in the past year, is still seen as a weakness. 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. Current. NFL MOCK DRAFT. Velus Jones Jr. leads team in receiving yards in Week 16 Velus Jones Jr. hauled in two of four targets for 52 receiving yards in the Bears' 35-13 Week 16 loss to the Bills. PFN Senior Draft Director Cam Mellor noted this while at the Senior Bowl earlier in the month. 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. But if his route-running is too loose, his role on offense could be limited. While unpolished, Jones was also unguardable at the Senior Bowl. Pat Mayo breaks down his 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational DraftKings Picks while previewing the course and key stats. What will the New Orleans Saints look like in 2022? He was a 2019 All-Pac-12 performer as a return specialist and a 2021 All-SEC selection as an all-purpose player and return specialist. Former Tennessee wide receiver and returner Velus Jones Jr. was ranked by Kiper Jr. as the fifth best returner in the 2022 NFL draft. Jones projects as a WR3 behind Mooney and Pringle, where the belief is Jones has an intriguing skillset but is still raw. Jones has very good lateral quickness that he was able to show throughout his college career. 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 . Yahoo fa parte della famiglia di brand di Yahoo. So there are questions of whether he can improve much more. Maybe Jones will be great, but I dont get this pick. 9 3/4
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