Up next in Unpacking Future Packers draft series is Purdue WR Charlie Jones.
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL draft.
The moment that the Green Bay Packers traded Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders, Brian Gutekunst knew that it was going to take time to remodel the wide receiver room at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. Replacing the best wide receiver in the league and his production was always going to take time.
There were the expected growing pains during the first year without Adams. Christian Watson, when healthy, looked like the next great Packers wide receiver. Romeo Doubs, when healthy, flashed his potential and could be Green Bay’s long-term No. 2 wide receiver behind Watson. Samori Toure flashed in his limited reps during his rookie season.
With those three in place, the Packers have a solid foundation in place as they enter year two of the remodel. Now, it’s up to Gutekunst to add veterans around that young trio, or he could continue to add young talent to the group via the NFL Draft.
A player that Gutekunst could target in the 2023 NFL Draft is Charlie Jones. The Purdue wide receiver checks in at No. 93 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
The former Iowa Hawkeye and Buffalo Bull enjoyed a monster season during his lone year at Purdue. Jones finished this past season with 110 receptions for 1,361 yards and 12 touchdowns.
“Honestly it was just incredible,” Andrew Ledman of Hammers and Rails said. “Jones came in at sort of the last minute for Purdue and only wound up here because he knew the Purdue starting Quarterback Aiden O’Connell from childhood. O’Connell apparently pushed for Purdue to get him and Brian Brohm apparently took a chance on him. His season exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Maybe it was because he and O’Connell had known each other for so long but there was a strong connection between the two of them that allowed it to seem like they’d been on the same team for years. Jones came to Purdue hoping to prove he could be a wide receiver and not just a special teams player like he was utilized during his time at Iowa and he certainly proved that. He was one of the best receivers in the conference and the country.”
The first thing that sticks out about Jones is his hands. He has strong, reliable hand and seems to catch anything that he gets his hands on, even with defenders draped all over him. He tracks the ball and attacks it at its highest point. According to Pro Football Focus, Jones was targeted 154 times and only had three drops.
“I think his greatest strength might be his hands,” Ledman said. “He’s not the biggest and not the fastest but if you put the ball anywhere in the zone he’s going to be able to haul it in.”
Jones is a good route runner with a lot of branches on his route tree. He looks like a veteran wide receiver running routes. He has quick feet and there are no wasted motions at the top of his stem. He’s not the fastest guy on the field, but he’s able to create separation with his route pacing and technique. Clemson had third and Renfrow. Purdue had third and Jones. Jones finished the season with a nation-leading 110 receptions and 66 of those receptions resulted in first downs.
“Route running is probably his second best attribute after his hands and you might be able to convince me that they should be flipped,” Ledman said. “It’s the only way that he continuously got open during the season after teams knew Purdue was going to throw it to him roughly 15-20 times a game.”
After the catch, Jones racked up 431 yards after the catch this past season. While he’s not a speed merchant, he has a great spatial awareness and an understanding of angles that help him create yards after the catch. It’s part of what helped make him a solid return man.
“He’s not the fastest guy on the field, but he’s not slow either,” Ledman said. “He seems to have great awareness of the defense and knows where his openings are. That allows him to get to the open spots on the field.”
Jones brings value as a return man. Jones finished his collegiate career with 77 career punt returns with an average of 8.1 yards per return and one touchdown. He returned 45 kickoffs and finished with an average of 22.3 yards per return and one touchdown. He was the Big 10 return man of the year last season for the Hawkeyes after he averaged 7.7 yards per punt return and 25.4 yards per kick return with one touchdown.
Fit with the Packers
The Packers have their future star wide receiver in Watson. They may have their No. 2 wide receiver in Doubs. Gutekunst needs to continue adding young pieces to the room to round out the depth chart.
With his route running, strong hands and special teams value, Jones could carve out a role as a solid No. 3, or No. 4 option behind Watson.
“If he’s available in the later rounds you could definitely get value out of him,” Ledman said. “He’ll never be a star wide receiver in the NF, but he can certainly be a trustworthy and reliable possession receiver. You can make a heck of a living doing that.”
Jones has a veteran-like savvy to his game. He’s not going to be a dynamic YAC threat. He’s not going to be a vertical threat. He’s a guy that will quickly become a quarterback’s best friend due to his detailed approach and his strong hands.
