2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: Velus Jones
- Position: Wide Receiver
- School: Tennessee
- Height: 6'0"
- Weight: 190lbs
Film Watched: Alabama 2021, Georgia 2021, Pitt 2021
Pro's:
- Well built receiver with a thick powerful frame
- Incredibly versatile draft prospect, playing inside/outside on offense and three roles on special teams
- Bullish strength, dominating in contact exchanges at the line of scrimmage and the catch point
- Ignored attention from press coverage the limited times opponents tried to jam his release
- Willing to use his body to box out defenders from the passing window
- Fearless across the middle and will make the catch regardless of imminent impact
- An absolute animal as a blocker. Plants his feet, sinks his knees and drives contact away from the ball
- Secure with the football
- Breakout 2021 season saw yardage triple and touchdowns double
Velus Jones Jr. is a WR prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored an unofficial 8.92 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 276 out of 2557 WR from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/Gf1YWxuDrh #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/sbV8B9qrQQ
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 4, 2022
Con's:
- Raw, despite being a college wide receiver for six years
- Route running is wildly inconsistent. Jones runs what he thinks will work on any given play
- Inefficient footwork off the snap and at the top of routes. Loses all velocity and separation
- Slot receiver only; negligent outside value at next level due to lack of size and length
- Gets lost tracking the football on intermediate routes, and most effective coming back to the ball
- Couldn’t see the field prior to this year. Just 58 catches in five years before 2021
The Verdict:
“It’s telling that sports-reference.com lists Velus Jones’ special teams stats before his offensive ones; As a four year player for USC, he caught one more pass than he had kickoff returns for The Trojans, speaking to role they considered Jones had on the team. Despite a much improved season in 2021 as an offensive contributor for Tennessee, Jones projects to have a similar career in the NFL too. Short and stocky with quick burst and acceleration, Jones is a hard man to bring down and does his best with the ball in his hand. Everything prior to the catch is messy, and will require significant dedication and coaching to remedy before he can even be considered for offensive snaps. For any team that deems his special teams prowess worthy of the project, Jones can be a WR5 with a steep learning curve to prove to be anything more.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
PREDICTION: UDFA
5/5