Jaylon Jones NFL Draft Overview
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6′-2″
Weight: 200 pounds
School: Texas A&M
2023 NFL Draft: Jaylon Jones Scouting Report
After spending the past three seasons with Texas A&M, Jaylon Jones has decided to skip his remaining college eligibility and declare for the 2023 NFL Draft. While some could argue this decision, it’s hard to discount the fact that Jones put together some of his best tape in 2022. Playing in 601 snaps, the cornerback finished the season allowing just 10 receptions on 19 targets for 94 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Jaylon Jones originally began his path to the NFL Draft in 2020. Signing with the Aggies, the Texas native immediately earned an important role on the defense. He played in 583 snaps as a true freshman, allowing 22 receptions on 35 targets for 312 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. His role increased in Year 2, allowing 31 receptions on 60 targets for 434 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Strengths
- Massive 6′-2″, 200-pound frame gives him the size and strength to play press coverage in the NFL;
- Three-year starter that contributed right out of the gate;
- Physical play style disrupts receivers from their route;
- Per PFF, only allowed 0.37 yards per coverage snap;
- Rarely gets outmuscled on contested passes;
- Texas A&M didn’t play press too regularly – if he lands in a press-heavy scheme, the best could be yet to come;
- Doesn’t miss many tackles.
Weaknesses
- Doesn’t have the deep speed to match burners;
- Wins by being bigger and stronger than everyone – might not translate to NFL;
- Fundamentals could use some fine-tuning – lots of wasted motion;
- Bites a little too easily on double moves;
- Lacks the lateral agility to stick with shiftier receivers
NFL Comparison: Brandon Browner
Teams With Need at Position: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers
Projection: Round 3
Bottom Line on Jaylon Jones
Jaylon Jones is a scheme-specific player that has a chance to be a great player in the right system. The 6′-2″, 200-pound cornerback is stronger than most at his position, and he already knows how to use his size to his advantage. When in press coverage, Jones bullies receivers at the line, knocking them off their routes and effectively taking them out of the play. He can also use his size in contested situations to break up tight passes, and he used these skills to be one of the most efficient cornerbacks in the country.
However, Jones’ metrics don’t necessarily match the film. The Texas A&M product wins by being bigger than everyone, which works in college, but won’t work in the NFL. The size disparity isn’t nearly as drastic, which means that opposing wide receivers might be able to take advantage of his subpar fundamentals. There is a lot of wasted motion in Jones’ movements, which is obviously something that NFL receivers will be able to exploit.
Additionally, when he’s not in attack mode, receivers can beat him. For example, if he’s in off coverage against a faster receiver, you better have a safety over the top because Jones simply doesn’t have the speed to run with someone like Jaylen Waddle. On top of that, he won’t be able to match the quick cuts of someone like Amari Cooper if Cooper is allowed to easily go into his route.
Basically, this is one long way of saying that Jaylon Jones’ future is going to be heavily reliant on which team drafts him. If he lands with a team that likes to play man coverage, he should have a bright future, as long as he cleans up some of his technique deficiencies. However, if he lands on a team that prefers zone or more passive coverages, he might have a hard time seeing the field.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
