Rookie Scouting Profile: WR Velus Jones

Velus Jones Jr. (WR) Tennessee

Height	Weight	40-Time	DOB	NFL Draft	Dynasty ADP	NFL Comp
6-0	203	4.31	05/11/1997	Day 3	3rd-4th	Marquise Goodwin

College Production

After transferring to Tennessee, Jones was a dangerous deep threat and excelled in special teams as a returner. While his skill set may not earn him high grades by NFL teams, his Combine performance certainly did. His ridiculous 40 time combined with his built-in ability to contribute on special teams even if he struggles as a wideout earned him a Day 2 slot

Strengths

• Elite speed and acceleration

• Punt and Kick returns

• Can find the holes in a zone defense

• Explosive and agile

• More physical as a wideout and blocker than most speed guys

• Above-average hands

• Tracks deep balls well

Weaknesses

• Limited route tree

• Will be 25 when the season starts

• Not overly productive throughout college career

• Limited experience outside of the slot

• Questionable football I.Q.

• Adds little to an offense outside of gadget plays and a straight-line deep threat

Fantasy Outlook

Jones has the potential to be one of if not the best return man in the league. If your league awards points for return yards then he is an intriguing process. Otherwise, he is an extreme boom or bust prospect. It’s extremely unlikely he develops into anything more than a big-play home run hitter. He will see bombs, screens, and end-arounds.

He landed in Chicago which isn’t the best-case scenario but could be worse. At the very least the fact that they used Day 2 draft capital on him increases his likelihood of getting a legitimate shot on offense

Post-Draft Recap

Because of his rather advanced age, Jones might actually have more redraft than dynasty value in 2022. He’s less than one month younger than D.J. Moore, who is entering his fifth NFL season. While the door is wide open for Jones to emerge from a very thin Chicago receiving corps with a substantial role, he’s not a player we expect to see move up much in dynasty formats. Keep an eye on his usage this summer before making Jones a speculative redraft target in the final rounds.