Right now, I think Alabama receiver Julio Jones is going to run away with the title of most overrated prospect of the draft. A.J. Green is so much better than Jones, no matter what any analyst says.
Jones has solid physical tools. He has good height, solid bulk, and average speed. But Jones doesn't really possess those same long arms that Green has, he clearly lacks athletic ability to go up and get the ball, and on film it's totally obvious that he is way slower than Green.
Jones seems to put up a good effort onto the field, With the ball in his hands, he shows excellent toughness and he plays with good intensity, and he is a solid run blocker. I definitely have seen better run blockers, but Jones definitely is in the upper tier.
Jones definitely doesn't possess the same athletic ability that Green has, but he has enticing upper body strength. Jones doesn't usually make defenders miss in the open field or outrun them, but one thing Jones does well is power through safeties like a tight end, probably because of his excellent bulk. It also gives him solid chances to improve his production as a run blocker.
Jones has some of the worst hands I have ever seen. He consistently drops pass after pass after pass. He frequently traps balls against his frame. He also struggles to catch the ball at it's highest point with outstretched arms, and he doesn't possess the athletic ability to goo up and get the football like Green does (just look at the highlights. You just don't see that natural quality that is pretty easily seen in Green's highlights).
Jones is a poor route runner. That's pretty much expected from a guy his age, but I don't think he has natural change of direction skills that will allow him to ever become an amazing route runner. Of course, being quick in and out of breaks isn't all there is to route running, but it's about half the battle, and vital against corners that have natural route recognition skills. Jones may eventually learn how to incorporate head fakes into his routes and read coverage schemes, but I don't think he'll ever provide true quickness.
Jones had very underwhelming numbers sophomore year. 43 catches, 596 yards, 4 touchdowns. I have always been high on players who produce statistically, and Jones wasn't been able to produce last season simply because of his lack of separation skills and horrific hands. Those are big drawbacks in his game.
Here are a couple of good looks of Jones in action:
Julio Jones: Freshman Year
Julio Jones: Sophomore Year
Overall, I really think Jones is overrated. I know I just used this analogy with Patrick Peterson, but why would anyone draft a wide receiver who can't catch a football to save his life. I don't care if he is 6'4 and he runs a 4.49 40 yard dash. It's not a good idea to draft wide receiver who can't catch (see: comparison)
NFL Comparison: Braylon Edwards with less athletic ability
Grade: 92
Projection: 96
I guess Jerry Rice was Al Toon or Eddie Brown (do you even know how these guys are?) with less athletic ability, or Terrell Owens was Randy Moss with less athletic ability...see what I did there?
ReplyDeleteI can't agree with your assessment about his poor COD skills. Take a look at his tape and see how he can make guys miss in short areas, returning, etc. Also, compare his 3 cone drill ( a good measure of lateral quickness) to other former WRs and current WR prospects.. (hint: its really, really impressive). I think he isn't natural catching the football, but he's not as bad as you make him seem. I think a TO comparison (in catching the football, as well as physical tools) is apt with Jones.
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