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Bears draft WR Velus Jones (Tennessee) 71st overall


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Bio:

Velus (pronounced VAY-lus) transferred from USC to Tennessee for the 2020 season and started six of 10 games played for the Volunteers (22-280-12.7, three TDs receiving; 3-16-5.3 rushing; 18-398-22.1 kickoff returns). His receiving production greatly increased in 2021 (62-807-13.0, seven TDs) and he shared SEC Special Teams Player of the Year honors with Alabama receiver Jameson Williams as a return specialist (23-628-27.3, one TD kick returns; 18-272-15.1 punt returns). Jones had moved across the country when signing with the Trojans, arriving in Los Angeles after earning first-team all-state honors at Saraland High School in Alabama. As a redshirt freshman, he played in all 14 games as a reserve wideout (6-46-7.7 receiving; 5-15-3.0 rushing) and top kick returner (31-760-24.5). Jones received more work on offense as a sophomore (24-266-11.1, one TD receiving; 6-13-2.2, one TD rushing, four starts in 12 games) while still returning kicks (21-483-23.0). His work as a receiver dropped off in 2019 (6-35-5.8 receiving) but Pac-12 coaches noted his special team contributions by voting him second-team all-conference as a kick returner (29-704-24.3, one TD). -- by Chad Reuter


 

Overview
Special-teams specialist with good size. Despite spending six seasons in college between his time at USC and Tennessee, Jones has very modest production as a wideout, but flashed potential in that area in 2021. He's fearless with the ball in his hands after the catch and as a kick returner. He's not a very fundamentally sound route-runner but might not need to be if teams view him as a catch-and-run specialist in the quick game underneath. Jones has a chance to ride his special teams versatility into a specialist spot on a roster.
Strengths
  • Can line up inside or outside.
  • Routes showed some improvement later in the season.
  • Play strength to fight through contact and work back to the ball.
  • Finishes the catch despite heavy hits by defender.
  • Run-after-catch talent is a factor.
  • Tears out of arm tackles and gives up body for every additional yard.
  • Special teams wizard.
  • Determined and talented as kick returner.
  • Can play gunner and averaged 15 yards per punt return in 2021.
Weaknesses
  • Will be a 25-year-old rookie.
  • Below-average wingspan and catch radius.
  • Doesn't drive hard into his routes off the snap.
  • Unnatural stride length gives away route stems.
  • Inefficient footwork at the top of his routes.
  • Only asked to run extremely basic routes.
Sources Tell Us

"Really likeable teammate. Plays hard. He might be a 'make it' guy with his special teams work alone." -- Scout for NFC team
 
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Write up in CBS.com

71. Bears: Velus Jones Jr., WR, Tennessee

Grade: B+

YAC phenom in the Deebo Samuel mold. Kick-return speciality appears when he's catching the ball on offense. Not a route-running specialist. Crazy timed speed. Doesn't quite play to that level. Old prospect who's already 25. If he was younger, he'd have gone much earlier. Special with the ball in his hands. 

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Pre-Draft Analysis

Jones was the only FBS player with more than 800 receiving yards, 200 punt return yards and 600 kickoff return yards in 2021, according to ESPN Stats & Info. He's an instinctive open-field runner with good contact balance and breakaway speed. Jones is more dangerous after the catch, but he is a threat to take the top off the coverage. He is a small target with short arms and doesn't catch every ball cleanly. -- Steve Muench

Post-Draft Analysis

After drafting defense with their first two picks on Day 2, Ryan Poles finally adds a receiver. Jones is one of the oldest players in the draft, as he will be a 25-year-old rookie. Jones is a bit of reach here with better players at the position like Khalil Shakir, Jalen Tolbert and Calvin Austin III still on the board. -- Jordan Reid

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(46) Velus Jones Jr 2021 Highlights | Tennessee WR | 2022 NFL Draft Prospect - YouTube

I still think there were better options out there when we took Jones Jr but it is clear what his role will be in this offence...Mooney is the deep threat...we are still sorely missing that bigger bodied type who can win in the redzone...Jones Jr on the other hand is going to be the guy who when we are struggling to protect Fields he gets it into Jones Jr's hands as quickly as possible and tries to make something happen in the open field.

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10 minutes ago, Madmike90 said:

(46) Velus Jones Jr 2021 Highlights | Tennessee WR | 2022 NFL Draft Prospect - YouTube

I still think there were better options out there when we took Jones Jr but it is clear what his role will be in this offence...Mooney is the deep threat...we are still sorely missing that bigger bodied type who can win in the redzone...Jones Jr on the other hand is going to be the guy who when we are struggling to protect Fields he gets it into Jones Jr's hands as quickly as possible and tries to make something happen in the open field.

So a bigger version of Cohen.

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8 minutes ago, chisoxguy7 said:

Maybe he will know how to run north-south instead of east-south-west

And back to south....and then north lol. 

In all seriousness though if he can become a healthy Cohen with the ball in his hands then it's a solid pick. A bit of a reach but a solid pick nonetheless.

 

 

 

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