Dane Brugler's Scouting Report on Velus Jones:
Quote:
STRENGTHS: Strong, compact frame, and plays physical through contact ... releases around press and accelerates to top speed quickly ... has the fluidity in his lower body to shake corners mid-route ... was used often on catch-and-go routes (screens, sweeps, etc.) designed for YAC ... really competitive after the catch, and flashes burst off his plant foot to find yards for himself ... steady hands, and drops were uncommon on his 2021 tape ... accomplished kick returner with a pair of touchdown returns (124/2,973/2) ... led the SEC in kick-return yardage in 2020 and 2021, and ranks second in kick-return yards (1,947) in USC history ... added punt-return duties
as a senior, averaging 15.1 yards per return (18/272/0).
WEAKNESSES: Better speed as a ball carrier than route runner, slowing his stride slightly as he turns to locate ... inconsistent route tempo, and prematurely tips his path ... needs to better set up defenders based on his coverage reads ... has slight stiffness in his hips, which hinders his ability to sink at the top of routes ... can be baited into extra contact downfield ... fumbled twice in 2021, including a costly muffed punt that contributed to a loss ... spent six seasons in college and will turn 25 shortly after he is drafted ... struggled through a hamstring injury during fall practice and the first month of the 2021 schedule.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Tennessee, Jones was a slot receiver in head coach Josh Heupel’s up-tempo spread offense. After four seasons at USC (caught passes from Sam Darnold in 2017), he transferred to Knoxville, where he was the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2021 and saw his role grow on offense as a senior (the only FBS player with at least 700 receiving yards, 500 kick-return yards, and 200 punt-return yards). Jones has terrific top-end speed, with the vision, balance and compete skills to create with the ball in his hands as a returner or catch-and-go threat (80.7 percent of his receptions in 2021 came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage). While he flashes burst in his lower body, he doesn’t have the tempo or setup skills in his patterns to consistently create separation vs. sticky corners. Overall, Jones has a limited route tree and is still developing his rhythm as a receiver, but he has a smooth accelerator with solid ball skills. He offers value as a return man, special-teamer and back-end-of-the-roster receiver (similar to Pharoh Cooper).
GRADE: 5th-6th Round
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