2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jaylon Jones (CB – Texas A&M)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Jaylon Jones.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jaylon Jones (CB – Texas A&M)

Jaylon Jones (CB – Texas A&M)

6’2” – 205 lbs.

Background:

Five-star recruit who has been starting since his true freshman season. Allowed 22/35 targets (62.9%) to be completed for 312 yards, three touchdowns, one interception and four breakups (henceforth 3-1-4). Was targeted a bit more the following year, ending the season with 31/60 (51.7%), 434 yards and 4-2-6. Dealt with injuries and was ejected from the Florida game this past year, limiting his overall snap count, but performed well when targeted, allowing just 10/19 passing for 94 yards, breaking up one pass.

Positives:

Big, very well-built cornerback with three years of experience for a major program; looks more like a safety. Flips back and forth between both sides of the defense (more frequently on the right), with a lot of press, shuffle and zone coverage; plays a surprising amount of field-side for a big cornerback. Good pre-snap communicator. Adequate footwork and a nice low pad level to match releases from press. Solid balance and clean footwork when backpedaling, based on a limited sample size. Nice technique in shuffling, covering a lot of ground. Uses his length to pin opponents to the sidelines on outside releases from press. Provides tight coverage on back-shoulder throws and targets down the sidelines. Patient, relaxed diagnostic skills from off/zone; consistently able to stay over the top of his opponent. Does a pretty good job of avoiding penalties for a more physical cornerback; only flagged 10 times over his career. Not much gather when transitioning. Solid on-ball production. Holds the point of attack and has heavy hands to shed in the run game. Willing to come up and deliver hits downhill in the run/screen games.

Negatives:

Wasn’t asked to backpedal very much during the games reviewed. Transitions can sometimes be a little clunky; some balance/coordination issues crop up at the route stem. Might struggle to stick with smaller, quicker receivers in man coverage or with burners down the field. Susceptible to quick, timing-based throws. Would like to see him use his hands to feel routes from press. Can occasionally get pulled up by route combinations, sitting on the shorter route and losing the receiver behind him. Only broke up one pass this past year. Some circuitous routes in run support. Lapses into hitting instead of wrapping at times.

Summary:

Has rare size for a cornerback prospect and is capable of playing various techniques, primarily press, shuffle and zone, the three types he’ll likely be asked to play most frequently at the next level as well. While it’d be nice to see him get physical with opponents more consistently when playing in press coverage, that seems like something he’d be well-suited for. Should have a lot of appeal to teams like the Seahawks that tend to favor bigger, stronger corners.

Projection: Round 2