Cam Jones NFL Draft Overview
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6′-3″
Weight: 228 pounds
School: Indiana
2023 NFL Draft: Cam Jones Scouting Report
Cam Jones began his college football career at the University of Indiana in 2018. He played in 11 of the Hoosiers 12 games, recording 20 tackles (15 solo, five assisted), while also forcing two fumbles, intercepting a pass, and defending against another.
In his second season, Jones played in 12 of Indiana’s 13 games. He had 35 tackles (23 solo, 12 assisted), including two sacks. He also forced a fumble and had a pick-six, on the season. During the Covid-19 season, in 2020, Jones played in all eight of Indiana’s games, starting seven of those contests at linebacker. He matched his 2019 total of 35 tackles (24 solo, 11 assisted), including a career-high three sacks, while also defending against three passes.
During the 2021 season, Jones played in 11 of the Hoosiers 12 games, starting all 11 of the games he played. He amassed a career-high 63 tackles (42 solo, 21 assisted), including a sack. He also recovered a fumble and contested two passes. In his final season in 2022, in the Hoosier State, Jones totaled 54 tackles (24 solo, 30 assisted), including a sack, while also forcing a fumble, recovering a fumble, and defending against a pass.
Strengths
- Plays an aggressive and physical style of football;
- Is an effective run-stopper;
- Uses proper tackling readiness-mechanics, technique, and form;
- Has a high football IQ; recognizes plays upon the snap of the ball;
- Utilizes exceptional biomechanics to generate power.
Weaknesses
- Was limited to five games in 2022 due to a foot injury;
- Has difficulty getting into the backfield;
- Gets baited especially on misdirection and play action, plays;
- Can be easily blocked if squared up;
- Has difficulty avoiding offensive lineman blocking at the second level.
NFL Comparison: Mykal Walker
Teams With Need At Position: Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers
Projection: Rounds 5-6
Bottom Line on Cam Jones
Cam Jones plays an aggressive, physical style of football that many teams would welcome. He is an effective run-stopper who utilizes exceptional tackling form and biomechanics to finish off his tackles. He also has a high football IQ and is able to recognize plays upon the snap of the ball.
Jones is likely to be taken in either round five or six in the draft. What may make some teams decide not to pick him night around that point is that he is coming off of injury, and likely would have been a higher-round pick had he not been injured last season.
Where Jones can improve is he needs to be able to get into the backfield and make plays. He also has the propensity to get baited, especially when the offense shows play action or misdirection. He also needs to be careful to not allow himself to get squared up to his opponent because this leads to him being easily blocked.
Additionally, Jones has difficulty when offensive linemen come to block him at the second level. If Jones is to stay in the NFL for an extended period of time, he needs to improve his weaknesses which seem easily fixable. His strengths appear to outweigh his shortcomings and a team that feels his injury from last season is a non-issue, may be rewarded with a very talented linebacker prospect.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
