He finished last season as the FBS active leader with 2,973 kick return yards in his career and participated in the Senior Bowl. Theres certainly potential with Jones, whos the best yards-after-the-catch receiver in this draft class. We offer recommendations from over 100 fantasy football experts! 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). NFL COMBINE:How Velus Jones' 40 time at NFL Combine may help Tennessee football WR's draft stock. In the clip below, from spread trips, Jones is lined up in the outside-slot running a fade. 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. Top gear can separate from anyone. Jones (6 feet, 204) had 62 catches for 807 yards and seven touchdowns last season. March 10, 2022 10:00 am PT. What will the New Orleans Saints look like in 2022? 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 . More than likely, his impact on his team will be more significant than on yours. 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. GRADE: 6.4 (High-level Developmental Prospect - 5th Round). McShay's NFL draft All-Satellite team: The 2022 class' best playmakers in space . Who will be under center? Void in ONT. But hes a compact, physical receiver who was used as a jack of all trades for the Vols. 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). PFN Senior Draft Director Cam Mellor noted this while at the Senior Bowl earlier in the month. 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. Needs to tighten up route running. Jones will watch the 87th NFL Draft at a beach house in Gulf Shores. Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and . Returns, rushing and receiving has allowed Jones to rack up over 4,700 all-purpose yards. Will Michael Thomas be back, and how close will he look to the receiver we last saw back in 2020? NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. 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. Still, he possesses elite speed and showed real playmaking ability for the Vols in 2021. As I said, its a bit of a mess in the Big Easy. Not only is Jones a capable receiver, but he might be the best returner of the 2022 NFL Draft class. But add his return skills to the equation, and his value rises. This leaves Amon-Ra St. Brown and Quintez Cephus as the primary options for Jared Goff (not including TE T.J. Hockenson). 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. Follow full coverage of Velus Jones Jr. during the 2022 NFL Draft on ESPN.com. Plays too loose and allows cornerbacks to get the jump on him. 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. Jones patiently waited for his opportunity to showcase his talents, resulting in a scouting report full of potential. 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 . follow. Velus Jones Jr. is one of the oldest prospects in the draft, and he didn't break out until his sixth season in college. 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. As noted, Jones hands are great. The only thing that fantasy managers care about is what Jones does on the offensive side of the ball. 22 TCU on Wednesday, March 1, Picks, predictions for Oklahoma vs. No. NFL DRAFT STOCK REPORT: Why Tennessee offensive lineman Cade Mays' draft stock is unpredictable at NFL Scouting Combine. New England is known for manufacturing touches in short aDOT roles. Does not always use his hands to secure deep throws, allowing the ball into his pads and chest. Too bad they did so by investing in an older prospect, one whose primary function coming into the league will likely be as a returner. Jones will participate in drills at the combine during the NFL Network coverage of quarterbacks, tight ends and wide receivers from 4-11 p.m. Knowing what he brings as a returner should endear him to head coach Dan Campbell. The Patriots make too much sense as a landing spot for Jones. 71 overall. Chicago isnt concerned about Jones being a 25-year-old rookie and is fond of his run-after-the-catch ability. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Velus Jones Jr. is one of the oldest prospects in the draft, and he didnt break out until his sixth season in college. 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. 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. We break down Tennessee Velus Jones Jr. with a scouting report and fantasy football outlook heading into the 2022 NFL Draft. 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 . One of their top ways to get Jones the ball was to stack him and another receiver on the far boundary. Mel Kiper/Todd McShay (ESPN): No. On the boundary, its either a hitch, deep post, or a vertical route. Jones burst well after the catch but needs work to be trusted in an expanded capacity. Sign up for the Bears Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. And if there were any questions that he only has track speed, Jones was just as fast in game situations. 9 3/4 Prior to last season, Jones had never had more than 280 receiving yards in a season. 2023 NFL Draft Top 25 Big Board: Young No. Ethan Wolf and Bryce Thompson are also returning for 2022 from the Saints practice squad. Plays fast and explosive. 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. But if his route-running is too loose, his role on offense could be limited. 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. Velus Jones Jr. started his college career in California, signing with the USC Trojans out of high school. 2023 www.knoxnews.com. 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 backs that speed up on film. Did he keep them? 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. Also, Tennessee brought him into the slot, which is where he projects in the NFL. 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 . Fits a zone system, can sift through oncoming traffic and explode through tiny creases and cutback lanes. Willing to go up and attack the ball. 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. 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. He waits until the very last second to make his way to the outside. Furthermore, Jones' hands are a concern. WR Velus Jones Jr.: Scouting Report. https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2022/02/22/2022-draft-prospects-velus-jones-jr-saints-tennessee-nfl/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. Plays like this are why Jones averaged 12.8 yards per reception at Tennessee, with 8.1 coming after the catch on average. Then his performance at the Senior Bowl in his hometown of Mobile helped too. He may not have the immediate acceleration of some other stud speedsters, but once Jones gets rolling, he is tough to catch from behind. Follow full coverage of Velus Jones Jr. during the 2022 NFL Draft on ESPN.com. It all began at the Reese's Senior Bowl, then he backed it up at the NFL Combine. When you just run a route or bend it off at the stem, NFL DBs wont fall for it. Good contact balance with the ball in his hands. 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? With the right NFL team, Jones could turn out to be a diamond in the rough. Jones projects as a WR3 behind Mooney and Pringle, where the belief is Jones has an intriguing skillset but is still raw. Jones, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, spent three years . 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. Jones appeared in 61 games with 21 starts over six seasons at USC (2016-19) and Tennessee (2020-21). 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. Kick-return specialty appears when hes catching the ball on offense. The most likely projection for Jones is a starting returner and speed threat off the bench. Special with the ball in his hands. He thrived in the no-huddle offense where he was primarily running routes out of the slot. He spent three years at Southern Cal and two years at Tennessee. A lot more. GRADE: 6.4 (High . Larry Mayer. Jones speed is what gains him separation, not his route running. Jones ranked 182nd on Bruglers big board. Velus Jones Jr. 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. Mocks. 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. 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. Jones, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, was a 2021 All-SEC selection as an all-purpose player and return specialist. Velus Jones Jr. saved the best of his college football career for last, and his excellent 2021 season now has the Tennessee wide receiver and return specialist in position to hear his name called . Most of the time, he was out there for the quick pass pseudo screen. He was heavily involved in quick passes behind the line of scrimmage. If Jones can get on an NFL team who already has a dominant X receiver, he can be a very productive complementary piece from the slot and on special teams. What will the offense look like without Sean Payton? In the passing game, teams will be drawn to his acceleration and ability to get down the field fast. And by not taking a receiver in Round 2, or an offensive lineman before Round 5, the Bears . 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. 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 has quite a ways to go as a route runner. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine As one NFL season ends, the next is set to begin with the 2022 NFL Draft on the horizon. 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. Tracking where Velus Jones Jr. could be drafted in the 2022 NFL mock draft. Sometimes, that is because there are some speedsters who can only run fast when going in a straight line. 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. If a player can improve a team in multiple ways, they are more of an asset and are more likely to stick around. . Jones has excellent speed (ran 4.31), but this is a head-scratching pick by the Bears. In the rare instances he was asked to run other routes, Jones lacked the technique or sharp movement skills to get in and out of breaks comfortably. That and his punt return work, also excellent, earned him a nod as the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2021. Ahead of the 2022 NFL draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. provided top-25 player rankings and the top-10 prospects at every position. Latest on Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN . This gave Jones more room at the line of scrimmage to start getting the ball earlier in his routes. Jones could step right in and make a difference as a return man. 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. 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. After six seasons in college football, Jones was projected to be only a fourth or fifth round pick in this years' NFL draft. Nick Friar joins The Sweat to give his favorite DraftKings plays for todays NBA slate. Velus Jones Jr.s speed and explosiveness are undeniable. 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