2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Greg Jones

Strengths:
  • Great speed and closes in a hurry
  • Elite sideline-to-sideline range
  • Covers a lot of ground in zone coverage
  • Excellent change of direction and agility
  • Love his motor and gives 100 percent effort
  • Extroardinarily productive
  • Starter since freshman year
  • Good tackling technique; wraps up and rarely misses
  • Consistent tackler in space or in traffic
  • Nice vision and awareness
  • Comfortable in space and under control
  • Accelerates to the ball-carrier
  • Outstanding instincts
  • Effecient with minimal wasted movements
  • Great timing and pass rush sense
  • Fluid hips
  • Big-time leader with terrific work ethic



    Weaknesses:
  • Struggles to stack and shed blockers
  • Lacks some bulk and size
  • Could be a little more physical
  • Not a punishing tackler; doesn’t deliver a lot of big hits
  • Only two forced fumbles in 39 games
  • Strictly a 4-3 weakside linebacker until he adds mass to body frame
  • Could improve hand use

    Summary: Jones reminds me a lot of 2010 linebacking prospect Daryl Washington out of TCU because they are both ridiculously athletic, rangy weakside linebackers. Jones is a run-and-hit WILL linebacker who finds ways to make plays and has great intangibles. I’d like to see his size get up to around 235-238 as opposed to being below 230 pounds.

    Jones plays inside linebacker at Michigan State, but is going to probably have to move out to the weakside in the NFL. I’m giving Jones a second-round grade to start the 2010 college football season, and I expect him to get drafted in the top 50 picks when it’s all said and done. If he has a monster senior year and puts on some size, he could very well become a first-round pick.

    Player Comparison: Will Witherspoon. Witherspoon is a talented, productive weakside linebacker who possesses a very similar playing style to the Michigan State product.





    RELATED LINKS:


    2011 NFL Mock Draft: Matt’s | Walt’s


    2011 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2011 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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