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.
With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely.
Today, I take a look at Tennessee WR Velus Jones Jr.
Velus Jones Jr. | Tennessee | #1 | R-Senior | Saraland, AL | 6’0” | 204
40-yard Dash: 4.31
Bench Press: N/A
Vertical Jump: 33”
Broad Jump: 121”
3-Cone Drill: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
Career: Sixth-year senior who spent his first four seasons at USC before transferring as a redshirt junior in 2020. 2021 All-SEC first-team selection. Racked up 120 catches, 1,434 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns in 59 games across both programs. Special teams returner who averaged 24.4 yards per attempt and took back two touchdowns.
Red Flags: None
Strengths: Compact, explosive receiver who is faster than his size might suggest. Versatile in more ways than one; spent time at the outside, slot, and special teams return positions. Catches the ball comfortably and keeps his eyes on the leather until it is secured. Turns upfield quickly with yards after catch anticipation. Hips have sudden drop and drive on comeback and hitch patterns. Breakaway speed changes gears rapidly and punishes defensive backs for missed press jams. Good vertical threaten during his stem with a narrow route path. Doesn’t look for the ball too early and trusts his timing keys. Moves to stack cornerbacks swiftly once he surges ahead. Understands how to close off angles and invite a friendly throwing window.
Weaknesses: Needs manufactured touches to get going and command attention from the defense in the passing game. Big play potential is limited by a low average depth of target. Tactics for zone penetration are underdeveloped. Tasked with a basic route tree and decreases his efficiency headed into breakpoints with extra steps. Easily overwhelmed as an upright blocker. Age is a factor: he will turn 25 ahead of his first NFL season.
Final Word: A fast wideout with good bolt off the line and anticipation with the ball in his hands, Velus Jones Jr. offers the potential to crack open secondaries through the air or via his own creation on the ground. Although Jones is experienced in the number of years he spent playing college football, he did not enjoy a breakout until his last season of eligibility and his route running needs major areas of tune-up. Jones offers day one upside as a team’s primary returner and reserve receiver that can challenge for a slot role.
Fit Likelihood: Medium
Grade: 5th
Film Highlights:
Jones demonstrates his yards after catch strengths as well as using information before and during his route to get open.
As promised, here is my Velus Jones Jr. cut up that @Pro__Ant and I didn't have time for at the tail end of the @Cover1 film room
In the first three clips, you can see how Jones' return ability translates to YAC
On the next three plays, you can see how Jones diagnoses coverages pic.twitter.com/njuEGQqtfR
— Kendall Mirsky (@MirskyKendall) March 9, 2022
A Senior Bowl rep from Jones showing suddenness at the top of his stem and good tracking/adjustment to the ball.
Tennessee WR Velus Jones Jr. had an inconsistent Senior Bowl, but he has some intriguing traits that the #Bears should consider on Day 3 pic.twitter.com/bO5EvxMMEM
— Bryan Perez (@BryanPerezNFL) February 4, 2022
As his NFL Combine time suggests, Jones has some certified burners.
Tennessee redshirt senior Velus Jones Jr. with a 72-yard touchdown.
The blazing-fast kick returner is also a reliable deep threat. I can definitely see him carve out a role in the NFL. @JimNagy_SB and the @seniorbowl have their eyes set on him since the beginning of the season. pic.twitter.com/Xo4zMLuDRi
— Luca Sartirana (@SartiranaLuca) November 7, 2021
