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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