2022 NFL Draft Profile: Tennessee WR Velus Jones Jr. scouting report

Velus Jones Jr. is hunting to grow to be the most recent Tennessee receiver to make an impact in the NFL, pursuing in the ways of Marquez Callaway, Jauan Jennings and Josh Palmer. The Alabama native was a late-bloomer in university, at last building an offensive splash in his closing period as a sixth-calendar year senior.

He now has a probability to make an prompt-effect as a returner at the following stage, when bringing some reputable engage in-building ability to the offense as a third or fourth receiver.

Prospect Facts

Height: 6-

Body weight: 204

40 time: 4.31

Class: R-Senior

Overview

A previous a few-star prospect, Jones went all the way throughout the country to USC to get started his college job. Although a Trojan, Jones was effectively confined to return responsibilities, participating in sparingly on offense about four seasons. He committed to Jeremy Pruitt as a transfer in 2020, last but not least with a prospect to emerge as a receiver.

Jones performed in a dreadful offense in 2020, but did offer some flashes late in Tennessee’s 3-7 COVID year. However, the employ of Josh Heupel changed anything for Jones, and the emergence of quarterback Hendon Hooker established everything off.

Jones returned to Tennessee for 1 ultimate time, which seems excellent now. He performed inside and out, catching 62 passes for 807 yards. Jones scored 7 touchdowns, and another as a kick returner. He had his best calendar year as a returner, averaging around 27 yards for every endeavor.

Now with a whole time of legitimate production on tape, Jones could go as early as the 3rd round.

What Jones will deliver to the NFL

This is an exciting analysis for scouts, due to the minimal creation and offensive playing time above a 6 year period. Jones has apparent speed and athletic means, but has been predictably knocked for a deficiency of polish as a receiver. Tennessee operates a fairly basic route tree underneath Heupel, so his route working is a purely natural issue mark for evaluators. Heupel runs a model of Artwork Briles’ aged Baylor assault, and all those receivers each and every faced similar criticisms.

What he can surely do is make performs with the ball in his palms. Shorter routes, screens — just having the ball in his arms proved to be an helpful method for Josh Heupel. Jones did make an affect down the subject a couple moments, but was not used as a traditional burner, inspite of the respectable velocity.

Jones’ path to sticking in the league will arrive on distinctive groups, exactly where he will be welcomed as a returner from day a single. From there — as odd as it seems about a 25 12 months aged rookie — Jones is likely to have to acquire as a receiver and route runner to turn into an every-down participant at the NFL amount.

Draft Projection: Spherical 4