Bob Sacamano
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Byron Jones: In-Depth Scouting Report
The 2015 NFL Draft is full of talented defensive backs this year, especially in the top 50 0r so selections. A new name that has flown up draft boards ever since his freaky Combine performance is Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut. The hype is real on this kid, and I will tell you why later, but first, here are his measurables from that outstanding Combine performance I alluded to earlier. These measurables, like always, are given by Mockdraftable.com.
Strengths
Byron Jones has some of the best instincts in the draft at the cornerback position. His field awareness is immaculate in the fact that he diagnoses the route that the wide receiver is running and pounces on it for the interception or PBU.
In my opinion, Byron Jones’ ability to mirror the receivers with both quickness and physicality is second-to-none in this class. The entire game against ECU, he went up against two talented receivers in Justin Hardy and Cam Worthy, and for the most part, got the better of both of them.
An underrated trait of Byron Jones’ game is his ball skills. He has ball skills like a free safety and attacks the ball at its highest point. It’s fair to say that Byron Jones plays with a ballhawk mentality on the field.
The intangibles of Byron Jones are also excellent. He is plays with extreme poise and leadership on the field as well as off the field. Coaches at UConn rave about his character and personality. Also, his work ethic is outstanding. When I watched him play, it seemed like he was never going to give up on a play even if he got beat, and if he did, he came back stronger on the next play.
Position versatility could also be an asset for Jones as he has the instincts and ball skills required to become a top-flight free safety in the NFL.
Perhaps the strongest part of his game is his uber athleticism, which he showed off at the Combine by breaking the Broad Jump record. Along with this, his recovery speed is also excellent.
Weaknesses
In man coverage, he can get overpowered at times by stronger receivers as well as in press coverage. His best fit in the NFL is to play off-man coverage rather than press coverage. Although he is willing to be physical and get up in someone’s grill, he lacks it.
As a tackler, he is fairly average, but I am not too concerned about this because the deficiencies he has in this category are coachable. He displays the toughness and “want to” in run support, but doesn’t always finish or execute the easy tackle.
His change-of-direction skills are below average at this point partly due to him playing with poor balance. He can read the play flawlessly, but the ability to actually make the play is to be questioned.
To the consensus of the public, the obvious concern is that he may be a projection based off of his uber athleticism that was noted earlier. He may have risen up a round too early based off of the media’s overblown deal on his Combine numbers. However, I believe that he will live up to the hype as a first round pick and become a valuable chess piece for a defense in the NFL.
He also suffered a torn shoulder labrum in 2014.
NFL Team/Scheme Fit
Philadelphia Eagles (#20): Fits the ideal CB mold that Chip Kelly wants. Long and athletic
Dallas Cowboys (#27): The Cowboys need a jolt of energy athleticism in their secondary, and Byron Jones can provide that with their Tampa 2 scheme.
NE Patriots (#32): After losing both starting CB’s in free agency (Revis/Browner), a hole at CB has opened up big time. Belichick likes the hybrid CB/FS prospects as history tells, i.e.: Ras-I Dowling, Devin McCourty, etc.
Round Projection/Draft Stock
Projection: Late 1st Round/Early 2nd Round
Draft Stock: Rising exponentially
NFL Comparison
Ceiling: Devin McCourty
Floor: Johnthan Banks
The 2015 NFL Draft is full of talented defensive backs this year, especially in the top 50 0r so selections. A new name that has flown up draft boards ever since his freaky Combine performance is Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut. The hype is real on this kid, and I will tell you why later, but first, here are his measurables from that outstanding Combine performance I alluded to earlier. These measurables, like always, are given by Mockdraftable.com.
Strengths
Byron Jones has some of the best instincts in the draft at the cornerback position. His field awareness is immaculate in the fact that he diagnoses the route that the wide receiver is running and pounces on it for the interception or PBU.
In my opinion, Byron Jones’ ability to mirror the receivers with both quickness and physicality is second-to-none in this class. The entire game against ECU, he went up against two talented receivers in Justin Hardy and Cam Worthy, and for the most part, got the better of both of them.
An underrated trait of Byron Jones’ game is his ball skills. He has ball skills like a free safety and attacks the ball at its highest point. It’s fair to say that Byron Jones plays with a ballhawk mentality on the field.
The intangibles of Byron Jones are also excellent. He is plays with extreme poise and leadership on the field as well as off the field. Coaches at UConn rave about his character and personality. Also, his work ethic is outstanding. When I watched him play, it seemed like he was never going to give up on a play even if he got beat, and if he did, he came back stronger on the next play.
Position versatility could also be an asset for Jones as he has the instincts and ball skills required to become a top-flight free safety in the NFL.
Perhaps the strongest part of his game is his uber athleticism, which he showed off at the Combine by breaking the Broad Jump record. Along with this, his recovery speed is also excellent.
Weaknesses
In man coverage, he can get overpowered at times by stronger receivers as well as in press coverage. His best fit in the NFL is to play off-man coverage rather than press coverage. Although he is willing to be physical and get up in someone’s grill, he lacks it.
As a tackler, he is fairly average, but I am not too concerned about this because the deficiencies he has in this category are coachable. He displays the toughness and “want to” in run support, but doesn’t always finish or execute the easy tackle.
His change-of-direction skills are below average at this point partly due to him playing with poor balance. He can read the play flawlessly, but the ability to actually make the play is to be questioned.
To the consensus of the public, the obvious concern is that he may be a projection based off of his uber athleticism that was noted earlier. He may have risen up a round too early based off of the media’s overblown deal on his Combine numbers. However, I believe that he will live up to the hype as a first round pick and become a valuable chess piece for a defense in the NFL.
He also suffered a torn shoulder labrum in 2014.
NFL Team/Scheme Fit
Philadelphia Eagles (#20): Fits the ideal CB mold that Chip Kelly wants. Long and athletic
Dallas Cowboys (#27): The Cowboys need a jolt of energy athleticism in their secondary, and Byron Jones can provide that with their Tampa 2 scheme.
NE Patriots (#32): After losing both starting CB’s in free agency (Revis/Browner), a hole at CB has opened up big time. Belichick likes the hybrid CB/FS prospects as history tells, i.e.: Ras-I Dowling, Devin McCourty, etc.
Round Projection/Draft Stock
Projection: Late 1st Round/Early 2nd Round
Draft Stock: Rising exponentially
NFL Comparison
Ceiling: Devin McCourty
Floor: Johnthan Banks
