Chris Ballard worked to find a solution for his cornerback group with the NFL draft this offseason. After selecting Julius Brents and Darius Rush, he tipped his toe back in with a seventh-round selection of Jaylon Jones out of Texas A&M.
It’s his great size that is a trait that the Indianapolis Colts are betting on with him standing at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds. He’s not the greatest with his athletic testing but he got good grades across the board and his RAS score ranks as the 269th-best cornerback prospect since 1987.
Jaylon Jones was drafted with pick 221 of round 7 in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 8.79 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 269 out of 2222 CB from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/vKHyceW48u pic.twitter.com/e0yja2oXgu
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 29, 2023
He uses his size to his advantage to close down passing lanes and has the short-area quickness to read and react to make a play on the ball.
R3:89
Pick: CB, Jaylon Jones
Tall and aggressive corner that plays man and zone, best in zone
Physical in the run game, mirrors WRs in short areas.
Doesn’t have a lot of production, but can run with WRs and forces contact to disrupt the playpic.twitter.com/r0DW860503
— Hussam Patel (@HussamPatel) February 11, 2023
Just like with Brents and Rush, he can help out in run support which fits what the Colts want from defenders in their defense.
Surprised Jaylon Jones fell this far but not surprised the Colts took him. Big-time recruit with awesome length and very young. Best in press-zone as a cover 2 guy. Triggers downhill too: pic.twitter.com/NVS49Ybm5b
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) April 29, 2023
He’s a three-year starter that also has the versatility to play safety. Jones also played on punt and kick coverage teams during his three seasons at Texas A&M. His struggles come in when dealing with refined route runners that can create separation and speedy receivers that can blow by him if he can’t get his hands on them.
For a late Day 3 pick, Indianapolis is getting a cornerback that has great size, and playing experience, and at worst can contribute on special teams in a backup role.
