Tag: Jarrian Jones

Stats, facts and fit: New Jaguars CB Jarrian Jones

Stats, facts and fit: New Jaguars CB Jarrian Jones

Jacksonville addressed arguably its biggest positional need of the draft before the conclusion of the 2024 NFL draft’s second day late Friday night, picking Florida State cornerback Jarrian Jones at No. 96 overall in the third round.

Jaguars Wire analyzes Jacksonville’s selection of Jones below, reviewing his background, college stats, NFL combine results, projected fit in Jacksonville’s defense and what he said after being picked.

Jarrian Jones, CB, Florida State

Oct 9, 2021; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jarrian Jones (7) makes an interception against North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Khafre Brown (1) during the first half at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Background

A consensus four-star safety prospect from the class of 2019, Jones collected 25 scholarship offers during his prep tenure with Flowood (Miss.) Northwest Rankin and originally signed with his home-state school, Mississippi State.

After appearing in 11 games as a freshman, Jones entered the NCAA transfer portal and first committed to rival Ole Miss before spurning the Rebels and flipping to Florida State.

It took Jones some time to adjust to his new program, but before too long, he was considered one of the team’s influential voices, one that encouraged fellow Seminoles to return to the team for the 2023 campaign. The results were an undefeated, 13-0 regular season last year.

Jones was a solid contributor over his first few seasons with Florida State. But it was in 2022-2023 when he truly shined, producing 44 tackles including five for loss, four interceptions and seven pass breakups in that span.

Jones entered the 2024 NFL draft after exhausting his college eligibility. He never redshirted but received the COVID-19 pandemic-generated eligibility extension.

College stats

via Seminoles.com and Pro Football Focus

  • 96 tackles
  • 5.5 tackles for loss
  • One sack
  • 23 defensive stops (tackles that constitute a failed play for the offense)
  • Five interceptions (one pick-six)
  • 12 pass breakups
  • One forced fumble
  • Two fumble recoveries
  • 63-of-113 (55.8%) completion percentage allowed in coverage

NFL combine results

via MockDraftable

  • 5-foot-11 and 7/8-inch (57th percentile among cornerbacks since 1999)
  • 190 pounds (39th percentile)
  • 30-inch arm length (8th percentile)
  • 73 and 1/4-inch wingspan (15th percentile)
  • 4.38-second 40-yard (89th percentile)
  • 1.53-second 10-yard split (61st percentile)
  • 39 and 1/2-inch vertical jump (86th percentile)

Projected fit

Although Jones spent most of his college career at outside cornerback (1,263 snaps), he transitioned to nickel corner in 2023  (394 snaps inside compared to 27 outside) and produced more turnovers than in any other season in his career, five. He also tallied five tackles for loss and four quarterback pressures on the year.

The Jaguars believe Jones is suited to play both spots in the pros. But with Tyson Campbell and free agent signee Ronald Darby in place outside for Jacksonville in 2024, Jones’ easiest path toward immediate playing time will likely be in the slot.

“He can play inside and outside; he’s not just a nickel,” Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said of Jones Friday. “He’s 5’11” and change, he’s 190-plus pounds. He runs 4.39, he can play outside and inside but he happened to play primarily inside there.” 

Quotable

“Growing up I was a big Maurice Jones-Drew guy, big Maurice Jones-Drew guy. Like I was a superfan of him. I watched just about every game that he played. When Jalen [CB Jalen Ramsey] went there from Florida State, I was tuned into every game. Him playing inside, outside, just what he brought to the game. I kind of fell in love with the Jaguars while Jalen was there, especially while Maurice Jones-Drew was there. Just now me being able to continue that Florida State pipeline and come in, make plays, do what I do best, it’s a blessing man.” — cornerback Jarrian Jones on growing up a Jacksonville fan

CB Jarrian Jones: Playing for Jaguars ‘a dream of mine’

Jacksonville third-round pick, cornerback Jarrian Jones: “Playing for the Jaguars has been a dream of mine.”

Roughly 250 individual dreams come true around this time each year, when prospects receive calls from pro teams about their imminent selection in the 2024 NFL draft.

For Florida State cornerback Jarrian Jones, two dreams were realized late Friday night, when his name was called by Jacksonville with the No. 96 overall pick in the third round.

“Man,” Jones exclaimed to reporters in his post-selection press conference, “when I saw that number pop up, I was so happy because playing for the Jaguars has been a dream of mine.”

From Magee, Miss., teams like New Orleans, Atlanta, Dallas, even AFC South rivals Tennessee and Houston geographically make a bit more sense for Jones to have been devoted to in his youth. What made the Jaguars his favorite team?

“Growing up I was a big Maurice Jones-Drew guy,” Jones revealed. “Big Maurice Jones-Drew guy, like I was a superfan of him. I watched just about every game that he played.”

Jacksonville’s second-round pick in 2006, Jones-Drew began his time with the Jaguars when Jones was five years old and received numerous All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors throughout Jones’ formative years around the game of football.

Jones recalled regularly playing the Madden video game series with Jones-Drew as his player of choice — “he used to go for like 200 yards every game I played,” Jones said — and frequently observing Jones-Drew plow over defenders in the A-gap of the trenches on Sundays.

“I had the t-shirt that had MJD on the back,” Jones shared. “I was kind of one of those fanatics.”

Jones’ feelings for the Jaguars only strengthened during the 2016 NFL draft, when Jacksonville took former Florida State cornerback Jalen Ramsey with its first-round selection.

In just over three seasons with the club, Ramsey earned one All-Pro and two Pro Bowl nods, setting a standard for performance at his position for Jones. The two former Seminoles have bonded over the years with the older defensive backs offering the young prospect tips of the trade.

“I definitely idolized Jalen, of course coming from Florida State we kind of played in the same defense,” Jones said. “When Jalen went there from Florida State, I was tuned into every game. Him playing inside, outside, just what he brought to the game.

“I kind of fell in love with the Jaguars while Jalen was there, [and] especially while Maurice Jones-Drew was there.”

With a pressing need at cornerback, Jacksonville made Jones its third pick of the 2024 NFL draft after taking wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and defensive lineman Maason Smith Jr., both from LSU, in the first and second rounds, respectively.

In five seasons of college football, one with Mississippi State and four with Florida State, Jones recorded 96 tackles with 7.5 for loss, five interceptions, 12 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries over 55 games and 29 starts.

Day 3 of the 2024 NFL draft will begin at noon ET on Saturday. Jacksonville has six selections remaining.

2024 NFL draft: Jaguars pick CB Jarrian Jones in third round

2024 NFL draft: Jaguars pick CB Jarrian Jones in third round

Late Friday, Jacksonville selected Florida State cornerback Jarrian Jones with its compensatory, No. 96 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Jaguars traded their original 2024 third-round pick to Atlanta in a package for wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who now plays for Tennessee. They received the compensatory pick due to offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor’s 2023 free agency signing with Kansas City.

Jones, who spent four years with the Seminoles after signing with Mississippi State out of high school in 2019, joins the Jaguars after accumulating 96 tackles with 7.5 for loss, five interceptions, 12 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries over 55 games and 29 starts in college.

Standing at 5-foot-11 and 7/8-inch (57th percentile among cornerbacks since 1999), 190 pounds (39th percentile), Jones posted a 4.38-second 40-yard dash (89th percentile), 1.53-second 10-yard split (61st percentile), 39 and 1/2-inch vertical jump (86th percentile) and 129-inch broad jump (87th percentile) at the NFL combine.

Jones was Jacksonville’s third selection of the 2024 NFL draft, following first-round wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and second-round defensive lineman Maason Smith, both hailing from LSU.

Jaguars’ remaining 2024 NFL draft picks

  • Round 4, Pick 114
  • Round 4, Pick 116 (via New Orleans)
  • Round 5, Pick 153
  • Round 5, Pick 167 (via Minnesota)
  • Round 6, Pick 212
  • Round 7, Pick 236

This is a breaking news story that will be updated. 

Colts hosted versatile Florida State CB Jarrian Jones on top-30 pre-draft visit

The Colts reportedly hosted versatile Florida State cornerback Jarrian Jones on an official pre-draft visit. Here’s what you need to know.

In need of help at the cornerback position, the Colts reportedly hosted versatile Florida State cornerback Jarrian Jones on an official pre-draft visit, according to Aaron Wilson.

Jones measures in at just under 6-0 and weighs 190 pounds. He really impressed at the NFL Combine running a 4.38-second 40-yard dash along with elite vertical and broad jump numbers, resulting in a 9.87 Relative Athletic Score–the third-highest RAS at the cornerback position.

Jones played 1,796 snaps at the college level. In 2023, 394 of those snaps came from the slot. Prior to that, he was primarily a boundary cornerback.

In the slot, Jones allowed a completion rate of 50 percent on 32 targets, holding pass-catchers to 9.9 yards per catch. He also came away with three interceptions nad three pass breakups. It was a very small sample size, but Jones did find some success as a blitzer as well.

From the boundary in 2022, Jones was targeted 24 times, allowing a completion rate of 46 percent at 10.4 yards per catch with one interception and three pass breakups.

By PFF’s grading system, Jones was a much more effective slot corner than a boundary corner. Jones’ missed tackle rate of 16 percent for his career is a bit on the high side.

For more on Jones, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had to say in his pre-draft report:

“Urgent cornerback with good size and above-average aggression in all aspects of his game. While Jones is all gas from snap to whistle, he can be clunky matching a receiver’s release and has a hard time transitioning through sharp break points without allowing glaring separation. His chase speed is average and he might require help over the top. He does a nice job of anticipating breaks from a shuffle and is effective from zone with a decent burst to close when playing forward. He’s aggressive in run support and battles for positioning in coverage. Jones’ limitations might be mitigated and his strengths maximized as a nickel cornerback playing forward from a zone-heavy cover scheme.”

Cornerback is the biggest need that the Colts have to address in this year’s draft, and if they are unable to do so in the first round, Jones provides them with a Day 2 option.

With Kenny Moore re-signed this offseason, if the Colts were to select Jones, while he could be a backup to Moore in the slot, the Colts would have to view him as a capable boundary defender, since that is where his playing time would come from.

Last season, explosive pass plays were an issue for this Colts secondary, along with them ranking in the bottom-third of the NFL in both total pass breakups and yards per pass attempt allowed.

Presumably, as the roster is currently constructed, JuJu Brents will man one of the boundary spots with Dallis Flowers and Jaylon Jones competing for the other.

In what is a very good cornerback class, Jones is PFF’s 15th ranked corner and the 113th rated prospect overall.

Panthers nab starting WR in ESPN’s 7-round mock draft

ESPN’s Matt Miller left the Panthers with a solid haul in his new seven-round mock draft.

ESPN NFL draft analyst and insider Matt Miller did the Lord’s work this week, and he’s blessed the Carolina Panthers in the process.

Miller’s seven-round 2024 mock draft was released on Wednesday. To begin his spring collection for Carolina, he projects University of South Carolina wideout Xavier Legette as the 33rd overall pick:

One nugget I’ve heard from multiple NFL scouts since the Senior Bowl is that the Panthers love this wide receiver class and believe they will be able to add a rookie starter at No. 33. The Panthers sent 10 people to the South Carolina pro day, and Legette’s 4.39 speed at 6-1 and 221 pounds is perfect for slant routes — which would in turn help quarterback Bryce Young get the ball out faster in 2024.

Legette delivered a nugget himself just two weeks ago at his pro day.

“A lot of coaches came and hollered at me before and after this process here,” the Mullins, S.C. native said of the Panthers. “They say they got a buzz in their facility for me and I’m just ready to see where I’ma land.”

The big 6-foot-1, 221-pounder ended his time for the Gamecocks on a high note—reeling in 71 receptions for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns. Legette’s efforts earned him a second-team All-SEC selection.

To round out Carolina’s haul, Miller mocked the following prospects to join Legette:

  • No. 39: OT Kingsley Suamataia (BYU)
  • No. 65: DE Chris Braswell (Alabama)
  • No. 101: RB Braelon Allen (Wisconsin)
  • No. 141: CB Jarrian Jones (Florida State)
  • No. 142: DT Justin Eboigbe (Alabama)
  • No. 240: WR Jordan Whittington (Texas)

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Colts hosting CB Jarrian Jones for top-30 visit pre-NFL draft

The Colts will host CB Jarrian Jones for a top-30 visit.

The Indianapolis Colts reportedly will host Florida State cornerback Jarrian Jones for a top-30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

After missing out on the trade for L’Jarius Sneed, who went to the division-rival Tennessee Titans, the Colts can still add some young talent to the secondary.

Jones would be an intriguing candidate to consider if Indy opts to go in a different direction early in the draft. According to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network, the Colts are bringing Jones in for a visit.

Jones has adequate size at 6-foot-0 and 190 pounds, and he tested through the roof at the NFL Scouting Combine, posting a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash to go along with a 39.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-9-inch broad jump. However, his 30-inch arms and slight frame may push him inside more often than not.

At Florida State, he lined up almost exclusively in the slot during the 2023 season, and he thrived in coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, Jones allowed a 50% catch rate, 9.9 yards per reception and a mere 25.3 passer rating in coverage on 32 targets.

It will be interesting to see how the Colts go about their draft process considering the massive need to add a boundary cornerback, but Jones has the skill set that will intrigue Indy on Day 2.

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Packers to host top 30 pre-draft visit with Florida State CB Jarrian Jones

The Green Bay Packers will host Florida State cornerback Jarrian Jones on an official top 30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft

The Green Bay Packers will host Florida State cornerback Jarrian Jones on an official top 30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft, per Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network.

Teams are allowed to host up to 30 prospects on visits ahead of the draft. Packers Wire is tracking all the reported visits here.

Jones (6-0, 190) intercepted five passes, recorded 15 passes defensed and produced 84 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery over 44 games.

Jones was named Florida State’s most improved defensive player in both 2022 and 2023. He was an All-ACC pick and the team’s winner of the Bobby Bowden Leadership Award in 2023.

After giving up five touchdown passes in coverage in 2021, Jones became a lockdown defender over the last two seasons, allowing zero touchdown passes while intercepting four passes across 56 targets into his coverage in 2022 and 2023, per PFF. He earned an elite coverage grade and an elite man coverage grade during the 2023 season when he played almost 90 percent of his total snaps in the slot.

Jones registered a Relative Athletic Score of 9.87 out of 10.0. He produced elite jumps (39.5″ vertical, 10-9 broad) and a 40-yard dash time of 4.38 seconds.

Jones is PFF’s No. 98 player overall in the class, putting him in the late Day 2, early Day 3 range.

The Packers re-signed Keisean Nixon to play in the slot, but Jones could be an ideal player to develop there long-term.

Full 7-round Ravens 2024 NFL mock draft post- scouting combine

The Baltimore Ravens are retooling and we’ve unveiled are third Ravens Wire 2024 NFL Mock draft of the offseason and after the scouting combine

The Ravens are heading into an uncertain offseason with an MVP quarterback, a shrinking Super Bowl window, and six of the top free agents in the NFL.

Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh will head to Indianapolis for the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine and start the journey of retooling a roster that is in flux and set to see significant changes at offensive tackle, running back, wide receiver, linebacker, and cornerback among others.

With the NFL Combine complete and pre-free agency discussions set to begin, we’re projecting all seven rounds of April’s NFL draft for the Ravens via PFF.

2024 Scouting Combine: Seven cornerbacks detail their favorite college plays

At the 2024 scouting combine, we asked seven different cornerbacks for their favorite NCAA plays, and got some great answers.

INDIANAPOLIS — Unless you are somehow able to gain access to one of the rooms in which NFL teams meet with draft prospects during the week of the scouting combine, there’s no way to know what’s really discussed. One thing that is almost always happens is a tape-watching expedition in which the NFL people will have play examples dialed up that hopefully show what the prospects can do.

Here at Touchdown Wire, we do not possess the required juice to crash those rooms, but we are able to ask these prospects during their combine media sessions which plays from their college careers best typify their potential.

On Thursday, we asked seven different cornerback prospects — Iowa’s Cooper DeJean, Kentucky’s Andru Phillips, Wake Forest’s Caelen Carson, Pitt’s M.J. Devonshire, Oregon’s Khyree Jackson, and Ole Miss’s Deantre Prince — for their favorite collegiate plays. These are the ones they’d like to show to NFL teams this week as indicators of their finest work.

10 cornerbacks the Colts should watch at NFL combine

The Colts should keep an eye on these CBs during Friday’s workouts.

The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine officially got underway with the start of workouts Thursday, and they’ll continue Friday with the defensive backs and tight ends taking the field.

The Indianapolis Colts will have a keen eye on all three positions—safeties and cornerbacks are lumped together—considering they are relatively high priorities in terms of needs this offseason.

While the combine is mostly important for the medical reports and formal interviews with prospects, the on-field testing does carry some weight for the Colts. Their investment in high-end athletes has been well-documented throughout Chris Ballard’s tenure.

Here are 10 cornerbacks the Colts should watch during Friday’s workouts at the NFL combine: