Via Last Word on Pro Football, by Matt Minich
Overview
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6 ‘0”
Weight: 180
School: Washington Huskies
Sidney Jones 2017 NFL Draft Profile
Washington corner Sidney Jones is one of the purest cover corners to enter the draft in recent memory. He has long arms, excellent hips, runs fast and smooth, and can seemingly not be shaken. He has been recognized by the Pac-12 as well as nationally for his performance on the field and in the classroom.
Jones was a three-year starter at Washington, where he excelled against the competition immediately. He can seemingly run with anyone, and is one of the stronger pass defenders in the NFL Draft this year. He is particularly proficient at playing excellent in man coverage. He is not however a very physical player, nor does he tackle or defeat blocks particularly well.
A consistent contributor in his time with the Huskies, Jones started for the majority of his true freshman season in 2014. He played well that year, managing two interceptions. He started every game in 2015 and had four interceptions on the season returning one for a touchdown. In 2016, he again started every game adding three interceptions including two against Cal (a performance that would earn him recognition as Pac-12 Player of the Week).
Jones’ success is not just a matter of his speed. Playing man-to-man is a skill that must be developed and he has done an excellent job of doing just that. He is fluid in his movement and changes direction well. He is so quick that receivers have barely gotten out of their breaks by the time he catches up with them. With continued development, he could be at elite shutdown corner in the NFL.
Strengths
- consistently produced interceptions during his career.
- smooth runner.
- flips his hips well.
- long limbs.
- can run with anyone.
- great man, potentially elite coverage skills.
- good hands.
Weaknesses
- doesn’t make a play on the ball as often as he should.
- misses tackles.
- struggles to defeat blocks.
- avoids contact.
- not a factor in the run game.
- doesn’t always show great effort.
NFL Comparison: Darrelle Revis
Teams with Need a Position: Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles
Projection: Mid to last first round.
Bottom Line
Jones is a pure cover corner with the ability to run with anyone. He however, does not get off blocks well and is not a great tackler. His strength in the NFL will be as a man coverage specialist. With continued development, he is the type of player who can take away the opponents best receiver. At six foot tall he may struggle against bigger and more physical receivers, but should match-up well against receivers six feet tall and under. He also projects to be able to match-up with shifty slot receivers.
Jones needs to be in a situation where the coaches will work to his strengths while developing his other skills in order to round out his game. He has a special gift in his athleticism that could make him an elite man-to-man defender in the NFL.
