Tag: velus jones jr

2023 NFL draft predictions: Saints picked as best team for Tennessee WR Cedric Tillman

2023 NFL draft predictions: New Orleans Saints picked as best team to select Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver prospect Cedric Tillman

Are the New Orleans Saints still prioritizing wide receiver after adding former Las Vegas Raiders standout Bryan Edwards to a receiving corps that includes Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, Rashid Shaheed, and Tre’Quan Smith? It’s probably not as high a team need in the 2023 NFL draft as it was before Edwards signed on (joining Kirk Merritt, Keith Kirkwood, and Kawaan Baker among the players hoping to make their case in training camp), but the Saints should still consider it.

And here’s a suggestion for the best 2023 NFL draft prospect fit for them, courtesy of Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton. He likes the match of New Orleans and former Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman in the third round at No. 71 overall. Here’s what was written about what might be a perfect match:

Cedric Tillman has flown under the radar because of an injury-riddled 2022 term. Playing in just six games of his senior season, Tillman caught 37 passes for 417 yards and three touchdowns.

Still, Tillman will probably land on the Day 2 radar for most teams because of his impressive 2021 campaign. In that year, he hauled in 64 passes for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns as the program’s leading receiver over Velus Jones Jr., who went No. 71 overall to the Chicago Bears in the 2022 draft.

Tillman wins with physicality before the catch, and he’s tough to bring down with the ball in his hands. At 6’3″, 213 pounds, with his ability to attack balls at a high point, Tillman should be able to move the chains on the third downs and become a red-zone threat as a rookie.

The New Orleans Saints should consider Tillman with the 71st overall pick. Derek Carr plays well with big-bodied pass-catchers, which is probably why the team worked out a restructured contract with oft-injured wideout Michael Thomas (6’3″, 212 lbs), re-signed tight end Juwan Johnson (6’4″, 231 lbs) and added 6’3″, 215-pound wide receiver Bryan Edwards (Carr’s former Las Vegas Raiders teammate) in free agency.

Tillman could be a viable replacement for Thomas if the veteran wideout continues to miss significant time because of injuries.

Furthermore, Saints wide receivers coach Kodi Burns held the same position at Tennessee during Tillman’s 2021 breakout year.

We’re fans of Tillman here at Saints Wire — he was our pick at No. 40 overall in our last collaborative staff mock draft, so there would be some celebrating if the Saints can get him an entire round later. He knows how to use his size to bully smaller defenders and he separates easily. He’s a good athlete for his size, too, and was the alpha dog in the Vols receiving corps when healthy in each of the last two years. He out-produced Jones a year ago and started out hotter than Jalin Hyatt this past season until an unfortunate injury slowed him down.

And as Moton observed, the Saints have a lot of connections to Rocky Top, up to and including Tillman’s old position coach. New Orleans has kept that pipeline open over the years, importing talents like Alvin Kamara, Shy Tuttle, Marquez Callaway, Alontae Taylor, and multiple other contributors. They know the program and the athletes it produces well, and Tillman could absolutely be on their radar in a few weeks.

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Early surprises as NFL training camps begin

Touchdown Wire’s Laurie Fitzpatrick discusses the biggest surprises as NFL training camps get underway.

Football is back!

All 32 teams have officially started their training camps. A few teams have been pleasantly surprised by strong performances from their rookies, while other teams have had some unexpected returns from injuries, and some teams have even made last minute trades that just flat-out shocked us all.

Jope springs eternal for all teams as the pre-preseason officially begins, let’s dive into some of the surprises from the start of training camp!

 

49ers hold pre-draft visit with speedy, versatile WR from Tennessee

The #49ers met with a versatile, fast WR prospect from Tennessee on Wednesday.

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On the day Deebo Samuel’s trade request became public, the 49ers met with Velus Jones Jr., a versatile wide receiver prospect from Tennessee per NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo.

The meeting with Jones would’ve made a lot of sense regardless of whether Samuel had requested a trade. He lit up the combine with a 4.31 40-yard dash and put together a very good college career as a pass catcher and kick returner.

San Francisco’s receiving corps isn’t particularly deep and adding a player who might contribute in multiple facets would allow him a greater chance to contribute right away. He would also give the 49ers’ offense a vertical field stretcher that doesn’t presently reside on their roster.

Jones spent four years at USC before transferring to the University of Tennessee for two seasons. In four years with the Trojans he caught 36 passes for 347 yards and one touchdown. Those numbers jumped to 84 receptions, 1,087 yards and 10 touchdowns in two years at Tennessee.

He was a valuable kick returner for both schools and averaged 24.4 yards per return on 122 returns with two touchdowns during his college career. Jones didn’t return any punts until his final season with the Volunteers when he averaged more than 15 yards per return on 18 attempts.

His 6-foot, 203-pound frame and good after-the-catch ability make him a good fit on paper for San Francisco.

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The rise of WR Velus Jones Jr., and what he can bring to the NFL

Touchdown Wire’s Laurie Fitzpatrick explains why Velus Jones Jr. could be a hidden gem in this year’s NFL draft.

There are some prospects who rise their stock throughout the draft process; Velus Jones Jr is one of those guys. After six seasons in college football, Jones was projected to be only a fourth or fifth round pick in this years’ NFL draft. It all began at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, then he backed it up at the NFL Combine. Now being mocked to go in the second or third round.

Jones played at University of Southern California for two years then transferred to the University of Tennessee in 2020. He only pulled in 22 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns his first year. But once Josh Heupel was hired as the Head Coach, in 2021, and then brought in Kelsey Pope to be the wide receivers coach, Jones took off. He thrived in the no-huddle offense where he was primarily running routes out of the slot.

Last season, Jones caught 62 passes for over 800 yards, seven touchdowns and had three games where he had over 100+ receiving yards. He ended the season with 1,722 all-purpose yards, which was third in the SEC conference.

With Jones turning 25 years old at start of the 2022 NFL season, there are some concerns within the draft community on how much he could actually improve after getting to the next level. One thing that cannot be ignored is his breakout season once he got into the right system. We can make the argument that if he just landed in that scheme to begin with, he could have flourished; but he’s only just now getting started. With the right NFL team, Jones could turn out to be a diamond in the rough.

Let’s go to the film to see what he can add to an NFL roster.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 36 Velus Jones Jr.

Tennessee WR Velus Jones Jr. is up next in Unpacking Future Packers, a countdown previewing the 2022 NFL draft for Packers Wire.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Green Bay Packers need an infusion of talent at the wide receiver position and they desperately have to improve on special teams.

A player that could help Green Bay achieve both of those things is Velus Jones Jr. The Tennessee wide receiver checks in at No. 36 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.

Jones, a USC transfer, averaged 24.5 yards per kick return for the Trojans in 2017. The following year he got more involved on offense, scoring a receiving and rushing touchdown, while averaging 23 yards per kick return.

In 2019, Jones averaged 24.3 yards per kick return and took one back for a touchdown.

During his first season at Tennessee, Jones recorded three receiving touchdowns and averaged 22.1 yards per kick return. 

This past season, Jones showed that he could be more than just a return man. The Alabama native hauled in 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. He also was named the Co-Special Teams Player of the Year in the SEC after averaging 27.3 yards per kick return and one return touchdown. He also returned 18 punts and averaged 15.1 yards per return.

“Velus had a fantastic super-senior season, totaling more catches, receiving yards and touchdowns than he did in his first four years combined,” Ryan Schumpert, the Tennessee beat writer for Rocky Top Insider, said. “He got off to a slower start as he missed much of fall camp with an injury that limited him the first few weeks. Jones moved to the slot a few games into the season and that’s where he really took off. The 6-foot receiver showed the potential he flashed during his first season at Tennessee when he dealt with poor quarterback play and an abysmal offense. Jones was a strong No. 2 receiver for Tennessee behind Cedric Tillman.”

Jones may be the best return man in the 2022 NFL Draft. His speed and running-back-like vision make him a threat to take a kickoff or punt back for a touchdown. He brings tremendous special teams value as a return man and as a member of coverage units. 

“Jones has really good vision and decision making,” Schumpert said. “He’s not afraid to take a touchback if the return isn’t there. That helped him avoid bad returns and kept his average super high. While he’s better and has more experience as a kick returner, Jones was solid as a punt returner in 2021.”

Jones is an explosive player. He’s dangerous with the ball in his hands and shows good elusiveness in the open field. He is tough as nails and will fight for extra yards. He can be utilized on jet sweeps and screens. The name of the game is to get the ball in his hands and let him put stress on the defense. 

“Jones wins after catch with elite quickness and surprising strength,” Schumpert said. “His ability to make defenders miss one-on-one in space with his cuts and jukes is his most impressive trait. He’s not Deebo Samuel by any means, but like Samuel, he’s also a surprisingly physical runner for someone his size. He’s not going to run through linebacker’s tackles like Samuel can, but he’s great at getting the yards that are there and then putting his head down and fighting for whatever else he can get. His sub-4.3 40-yard dash time also shows up with the ball in his hands.”

Jones is a smooth accelerator off the line of scrimmage. He shows great burst in and out of his cuts to create separation. The USC transfer has the quickness to threaten defensive backs vertically and has natural tracking skills downfield. That quickness was on full display at the combine when he ran a 4.31 40-yard dash.

Jones plays with a competitive edge. He brings it as a run blocker and is capable of locking up defensive backs. 

“Jones isn’t an elite blocker by any means, but he’s not a slouch either, especially for his size,” Schumpert said. “It’s not a liability to where it would keep a team from drafting him, but it’s not a major strength.”

Fit with the Packers

Anything Jones would offer as a wide receiver early in his career would be gravy. Where Jones can impact the game is on special teams and as a catch and run specialist. Get him the ball on bubble screens, jet sweeps, drags and let him create with the ball in his hands.

“Jones’ greatest strength is his ability with the ball in his hands,” Schumpert said. “His elite speed and strong cutting ability is a large part of his success in space.”

As a day three prospect, Jones could carve out a role immediately for Green Bay as a return man. He’d also be able to play on coverage units. The Packers need to get better on special teams and Jones could play a vital role in helping turn that unit around.

On the offensive side of the ball, Jones could thrive as a weapon on screens and targets closer to the line of scrimmage. With his ability to create after the catch, he could add an extra dimension to Green Bay’s offense. 

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Receiver standouts from the first day of scouting combine drills

These receivers did the most to improve their draft stock during Thursday’s scouting combine drills.

If you like speedy receivers, the 2022 scouting combine is for you. Before this combine, the record for receivers running official sub-4.4 40-yard dashes was seven. In this class, a full 14 ran unofficial sub-4.4 40-yard dashes, and while that number will drop when the times become official, the speed on the track at Lucas Oil Stadium was obvious.

Of course, there’s more to the position than running in a straight line. NFL evaluators will tell you that the tape tells you at least 80% of the story, and bowl games and postseason activities (combine, pro days) rack up the remainder. But from a pure traits perspective, here are the receivers who helped themselves the most at the 2022 scouting combine.

2022 draft spotlight: Vols WR Velus Jones Jr. is a prospect on the rise

2022 draft spotlight: Vols WR Velus Jones Jr. is a prospect on the rise, and the Saints should take note

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We’ve already discussed how the New Orleans Saints hiring wide receivers coach Kodi Burns may help give them an inside track on some prospects in the 2022 NFL draft, but one player to note in particular is Tennessee Volunteers wideout Velus Jones Jr. Listed at 6-foot-even and exactly 200 pounds, Jones broke out in 2021 during Burns’ first year at Tennessee after transferring from USC a season earlier.

He was an effective No. 2 receiver in the Vols’ offense, ranking second on the team in receptions (62), receiving yards (807), and touchdown catches (7) while playing in all 13 games. And his role in the NFL will likely be a complimentary weapon working across from an established No. 1 wideout like Michael Thomas. But what’s interesting is that Jones didn’t hit his stride until Burns started coaching him; in his first 46 games, most of them at USC, he totaled just 58 receptions for 627 yards and 4 touchdowns.

And then Jones parlayed that production into a big week at the Senior Bowl, impressing NFL scouts and coaches in attendance. Zebra Technologies tracking found that he was consistently one of the fastest players in practices during the week, and he’s put enough work into refining his routes to compete at the pro level. His experience fielding kickoffs (he’s returned 122 of them in 59 college games) should also help his case.

New Orleans has a history of going after Tennessee prospects. Alvin Kamara of course has been their most notable pickup from Rocky Top, but they’ve also gotten great returns on undrafted free agent finds like Marquez Callaway and Shy Tuttle. Ethan Wolf and Bryce Thompson are also returning for 2022 from the Saints practice squad.

Maybe Jones joins them. He would be a good pick on the third day of the draft, especially if the Saints add a more-established weapon sooner. Whether that means spending an early-round pick on a top prospect or investing in a veteran free agent, you’d like to see New Orleans double down on the receiving corps. Jones has real potential, but he’d be best served competing with Deonte Harty and Marquez Callaway in the rotation behind Michael Thomas and a new starter. Throwing him into the starting lineup right away wouldn’t serve anyone well.

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New Saints WR coach Kodi Burns has unique ties to several draft prospects

New Saints wide receivers coach Kodi Burns has unique ties to draft prospects like Malik Willis and Velus Jones Jr.:

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The most immediate impact we’ll see from the New Orleans Saints hiring former Tennessee and Auburn wide receivers coach Kodi Burns will be his influence on the young receivers who already took a step or two last year, like Deonte Harty (who is a restricted free agent the team badly needs to re-sign) and Marquez Callaway. But Burns’ arrival is timely. He’s joining the team just weeks before the football world gathers in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine.

That’s an opportunity for teams to formally meet with prospects — often for the first time — and see them put through their paces in athletic testing drills. And Burns offers rare insight to one of the Saints’ greatest positions of need. He’s spent years recruiting and coaching against many of the top prospects in this year’s draft cycle.

One to note in particular is Tennessee receiver Velus Jones Jr.; Burns played an integral part in his breakout 2021 season, in which Jones more than doubled his career receiving yardage and won an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he impressed NFL teams during daily practices. If his pre-draft process continues to go well, he could climb high on draft day. See what he can do for yourself:

And before he joined Tennessee in 2021, Burns held several different titles during his five-year run at Auburn. In addition to his duties in coaching the Tigers’ receivers, Burns worked as co-offensive coordinator when top 2022 quarterback prospect Malik Willis was on campus. Willis appeared in a dozen games during that span, though he was used more as a runner (rushing 28 times for 309 yards, scoring twice) than as a passer (completing 11 of 14 pass attempts for 69 yards, throwing one touchdown pass).

When the opportunity to transfer to Liberty and show what he could do in Hugh Freeze’s pass-first offense presented itself, Willis bet on himself, had two great seasons and now he’s looking like a lock for the first round of this year’s draft. NFL teams are putting a microscope over his 604 pass attempts in his second stop, of which he completed 377 to rack up 5,107 yards. He completed 47 touchdown passes against 18 interceptions.

How that split with Auburn — and the impact it had on the relationship between Willis and Burns — played out behind the scenes is anyone’s guess. Burns’ title was soon changed to passing game coordinator shortly thereafter, and his background as a college quarterback-turned-receiver gave him a unique perspective on working with talents like Willis.

But if the Saints are interested in drafting Willis, and they just might be given we know they had an interview with him at the Senior Bowl, it sure helps to have someone who knows him well on staff. Sure, the Saints aren’t going to pick Willis or Jones or any other prospect just because one of their former coaches is on staff now. At the same time, you can’t rule out the influence those connections may have on draft-day decisions. If the Saints are waffling on a prospect and Burns is willing to speak up for them, that might make a difference.

Still, at this early juncture all we can do is try to connect some dots and make some speculation. If nothing else, finding these connections and background material is interesting fodder to help get us through the months leading up to the draft. Let’s hope Burns is able to get to work with the receivers he has now, and maybe add some more in the interim.

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Get to know new Saints wide receivers coach Kodi Burns

Get to know new Saints wide receivers coach Kodi Burns, a college teammate of Cam Newton’s and a key Tennessee assistant:

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Dennis Allen’s search for new assistant coaches took an unexpected turn on Monday, when former Tennessee wide receivers coach Kodi Burns accepted the same position with the New Orleans Saints. It’s an interesting move that goes against the past additions Allen made to his staff — Burns doesn’t have any real connections with the previous Sean Payton regime, having exclusively coached at the college level before.

He’s also very young for an NFL position coach at just 33, compared to other recent hires like offensive line coach Doug Marrone (57), Allen himself (49), and retained offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael (50), who returned to the role after initially choosing to step down. It’s an interesting dynamic, but that youth has been an asset for Burns so far. Let’s get to know him a bit better: