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Is Byron Jones Really in Play for 1.22?

deljzc

deljzc

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Two mocks this week (Mike Mayock and Dale Lolley) have now plugged Byron Jones, CB as our first round pick at #22.

You guys can comment below, but I would be awfully disappointed in that selection. I understand he physically tested off the charts and I found out today his wonderlic is good as well (33), but my film review of his is not even close to first round player. He just lacks all sorts of instincts and feel for the position.

Okay 2nd round pick maybe, just on all that potential, but as your 1st round pick? No thanks.
 
No thanks. Workout warrior.

It would appear that almost 4 CB's would have to be off the board for that to happen
 
He's in play but I think they would go with Kevin Johnson over him if both were available.
 
I understand Jones put up some phenomenal numbers at the combine, but this is the first I'm hearing of him being nothing more than a "workout warrior".

Extremely smart and instinctive on the field. Shows above-average anticipation of routes. Is able to sniff out rub routes and works to avoid them. Flashes recovery speed downfield and gets head around to find ball and make a play on it. Uses instincts and adequate closing burst to disrupt the catch. Generally reliable tackler. Team captain and leader on the field and in the locker room. Scouts say he's willing to play hurt and inspires his teammates.
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Tall, athletic frame with good overall muscle definition and distribution. Possesses easy athleticism with light feet, fluid change of direction and quick acceleration to mirror receivers. Understands angles and shows good route recognition to keep his body between the quarterback and his receiver.
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Often lined up in press coverage at UConn, showing the balance, aggression and confidence to compete for early playing time in a similar scheme in the NFL. Good vision to locate the football and shows good hand-eye coordination and soft mitts to take advantage of interception opportunities (eight over his career). Sound tackler who breaks down well and uses his long arms to lasso ball-carriers. Voted a team captain as a senior.
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COMPARES TO: Prince Amukamara, Giants: By suffering a season-ending shoulder injury midway through his senior season, Jones didn't earn all-conference or all-star game attention but the tape shows an instinctive, athletic defender with the size, toughness and work ethic to project as a future NFL starter.
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With Jones, he checks the boxes for just about everything you like for a NFL corner in this present generation. He gets up on you in press coverage and tries to suffocate, knowing he can stay with you down the field. He is best like this where his long arms and huge hands are used to direct you on a re-route. He is right in the hip pocket not the fades and although he sees some action, he generally is able to handle what comes his way. He is also surprisingly physical for a gifted athlete (usually it is one or the other) and is willing to get dirty to make a tackle on your bubble screens or runs around the corner. His overall game is solid and he looks like he has the tools to develop into a #1 CB who is up for your best receiver and willing to travel side to side to stay with him. Absolutely best in press coverage versus the zones Connecticut would run. Nice ball skills over the top as well.
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I'm not suggesting he's the right pick for us at #22, but dismissing him as a workout warrior I think is a blatant mistake. I would not be shocked one bit to see him picked in the first round tonight. We shall see.
 
I think I remember reading one of LaCanfora's tweets saying the Steelers had 4 CB's with a first rd grade and that Peters was very much in play. I guess it all depends on who is there at 22. If Jones is the pick I don't think there is a way for him to start this year.

If true, I would assume that the 4 on that list are Waynes, Peters, Johnson, and Jones
 
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It really depends on who else is on the board. I've seen plenty of mocks where the top CBs and pass rushers were off the board and Jones seems like the best of what's left. I'm not going to rip the FO if they think Randy Gregory is a pot addict who doesn't give a **** about having a productive NFL career.
 
I don't know where the "workout warrior" comes from I heard that from the old boys over at the gazette say that too. Multi year starter, team captain great locker room guy only nick against him was he got hurt his senior year. He's as good as any other back in this draft at this point with what could be a hall of fame upside. Has Woodson kind of freakyness. Still rather see us go for pass rusher if the right guy is there.
 
I'd be OK with it just as I am with most picks because ultimately the draft is about potential. There aren't any sure things and everybody is wrong some of the time. No use being disappointed at the time of the draft, let time decide.
 
Mayock sucks - he's never right with Steelers picks
 
I think Byron Jones very well could be in play but of course depends on who is still available when they pick. The kid from what I've read is very smart and seems to be a good kid without any baggage and had very good workout numbers. I personally do not put that much stock in the combine as most do since I'd rather go with what the guy did on tape against competition. I think if Randy Gregory is there or Marcus Peters, its one of those two. Peters probably the best CB in the draft and Gregory maybe the most polished edge rusher. Can I overlook their issues? It depends on how they interviewed with the Steelers. They took Adams a few years ago so don't say never.
 
Good news? It is not Jalen Collins.

Bad news? Eh, he has measurements that do not seem to translate to freakish play on the field. I don't hate it.
 
steelhurt said:
I think Byron Jones very well could be in play but of course depends on who is still available when they pick. The kid from what I've read is very smart and seems to be a good kid without any baggage and had very good workout numbers. I personally do not put that much stock in the combine as most do since I'd rather go with what the guy did on tape against competition. I think if Randy Gregory is there or Marcus Peters, its one of those two. Peters probably the best CB in the draft and Gregory maybe the most polished edge rusher. Can I overlook their issues? It depends on how they interviewed with the Steelers. They took Adams a few years ago so don't say never.
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When it comes to round one, I want a good match of film, production vs. solid competition ( Stats ) and work out numbers.

Jones converted from safety to cornerback, got hurt, and really did not play top level competition. I think he's more of a round two type of talent
 
I think it would be reaching for a player if they picked him at 22.

no thanks
 
After watching some more film, I am glad he's likely higher on our board than Jalen Collins.

And his character seems pretty top notch. I think it's a pretty good reach, but this draft really gets muddled after about the top-15 players. Tough to say for sure where the lines are to separate the talents.

I'm not going to applaud the pick much, but I'll give him a shot and let it play out. Not my job on the line.
 
Collins I would take in rd 2 if we went OLB in rd 1. Not big on Jones and wporry that Kevin Johnson is soft and cant tackle. Peters or Wayans are my only two corners that I want at 1.22. I'll take Johnson I guess though.
 
I don't think he fits the mold as BPA in this situation. The steelers will not be forced to reach when there may be a better option at OLB, TE, WR, S, DL or OL.

I'm personally feeling good about a possible OT sliding this year. I'd be all for that if we can get a starter at LOT!
 
Cope said:
I'm personally feeling good about a possible OT sliding this year. I'd be all for that if we can get a starter at LOT!
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Agreed. Don't know why, but I've also got a wierd feeling a top NT could slide to us, ie Danny Shelton. Not saying it's gonna happen, or that he will be our pick, but it's a wierd feeling I've been having for days. Or like you say Cope, a top notch OL, a la DeCastro, a guy no one in their right mind would have thought would be there for us.
 
I know our NTs don't need to run, but man is Shelton really that slow. Past history indicates that type of slow not good in a perspective player.
 
Fiji Mariner said:
I know our NTs don't need to run, but man is Shelton really that slow. Past history indicates that type of slow not good in a perspective player.
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I think the best way to guage a NT in our system is to look for the player that comes closest to resembling a sumo wrestler, someone who operates in about a 5 foot square area. Shelton I believe is the best of the lot at that, with incredible power, strength and determination to take on multiple blockers and create havoc up the middle. He would be the heir apparent to Casey Hampton, after playing without that type of NT these past few years. I think we have bigger needs, but they would have to at least consider him at #22.
 
I wouldn't be thrilled with Jones, but wouldn't be disappointed either. He is one of the biggest risers in the draft, which makes me wary, but his athleticism is off the charts.
 
I want Diggy and Jones in any order hope we get both.
 
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