|
|
Velus Jones Jr. NFL Draft Profile
|
Velus Jones Jr. Scouting ReportVelus has game breaking talent who will come into the league as one of the fastest receivers to play the game. He mainly lines up in the slot but his size could offer teams flexibility to line up on the perimeter. He has an explosive getoff and good corners respect his exceptional short area quickness. He is adept at working all three levels and understands how to create separation. Velus is impossible to stick with crossing routes. He sells the double move and has impressive fluidity to maintain speed through transitions. His lower body strength helps to battle against route bullies. Jones is exceptional in the open field creates more separation with the ball in his hands avoiding would be tacklers by adjusting to avoid pursuit angles. Velus offers some serious RAC ability. He is very explosive and has good field vision. He has impressive contact balance downfield, where he can shrug off some contact. He is a willing run blocker. He brings versatility as a returner with his ability to avoid or break tackles in open field. Velus is able to get up to top speed quickly and offers ability to take the top off defenses. He showcases great body control and has several moves to create separation. He has very elite acceleration, it is a rare thing. He looks like he could be a 4.4 type speed. |
Areas for ImprovementJones Jr. at Tennessee ran a very limited route tree. His consistency off the snap could be more polished. He has to do a better job of ball security especially on contact. He has to show he can be more effective as blocker either in the screen game or at the second level. Velus is not consistent when playing in traffic. He needs show better understanding of the route tree, to improve his overall body of work. He struggles to move the ball to the sideline side at times.
|
Velus Jones Jr. Career at USC/TennesseeVelus Jones Jr. is a versatile wide receiver and dynamic return specialist in his sixth year at the collegiate level. He spent his first four seasons at Southern Califonia from 2016-19. He transferred to Tennessee in the spring of 2020. In his second season in Knoxville and elected to return for the 2021 campaign. Velus played in 60 career games with 20 starts (22 games and 14 starts at Tennessee). For his career, he hauled in 110 catches for 1,349 yards. In his three seasons on the field at USC, he logged 36 receptions for 347 yards to go along with 1,947 kickoff return yards on a school record 81 attempts. The FBS' active career leader in kickoff return yards with 2,851. He averaged 24.4 yards per kickoff return. Velus finished his USC career second all time in school history in kickoff return yards. Only behind Adoree' Jackson by 194 yards. He scored 13 touchdowns, three different ways at the college level - receiving (10), rushing (1), and kick return (2). He owns three 100 yard receiving games. He earned his undergraduate degree from USC and completed his master's in agricultural leadership, education & communications in December of 2021.
|
Velus Jones Jr. NFL Draft Player ProfileSeamless route runner through his cuts. Surprisingly ran a very limited route tree at Tennessee. Flashes a really nice release ability. Good hands. Became the number one target this season at Tennessee. Creates good catch angles. Has a great catch radius. Not as consistent as you’d like to see. Struggles to catch through contact. Velus Jones Jr best projects into a spread offense as a #2 “Z” receiver option to compliment the main boundary receiver. Jones works well both on the perimeter and out of the slot and would be a good fit in most NFL offenses. We think he could be a full time starter by year two if all goes well, and could potentially be in the Pro Bowl at some point of his career.
|
 |