Josh Jones   S/CB   North Carolina St  

TALENT
ROUND
1

STRENGTHS
Josh Jones is tackling machine. He can cover as well as any safety and better than some corners in this draft. He has excellent speed and with his long length has the ability to trail and still make plays on the receiver. He can cover those big tight ends and big slot receivers and because he is strong, will tackle them quickly allowing very little run after the catch yardage. You can use Josh in any style defense… zone or in coverage, up close to the line or in a two deep defense or even as a single free safety because of his 6’1” 220 Lbs. 4.4 speed and because he is quick to support the run, tackle and because his instincts are excellent. Josh has the hands to intercept the ball and the strong running skills to bring it back for six. He shows leadership skills through his play on the field. I consider Josh one of the top defensive backs in this draft.

CONCERNS
There is not much wrong with Josh’s overall game so nit picking just doesn’t seem logical. I would like to see him be more vocal on the field and show more direction to his teammates but once again, nit picking doesn’t seem to be logical in this case.

BOTTOM LINE
There are so many defensive backs in this draft that Josh could get lost but believe me, you turn on the film and word “lost” does not enter you thought process. What enters your thoughts is why hasn’t anyone noticed this kids game and why isn’t he being considered one of the best safeties in this draft? As of this writing I haven’t heard anyone talk about Josh and that means he could be selected in any round in this draft but no matter what round he is selected in he still has first round talent and should be considered one of the top safeties in the draft. At least that’s what I see on his film and that’s how I do all my profiles…from film. Josh reminds me a lot of a former cover safety (who was before his time) for the Buffalo Bills selected in the 1991 draft in the 1st round at pick number 26… Henry Jones. In Henry’s second year he led the league with 8 interceptions. He was listed as a strong safety but Henry might have been the first cover safety in the NFL because you don’t get 8 interceptions just being an “in the box” safety. He also was an excellent and quick tackling safety, limiting “run after the catch” yardage and that was the start of the “bend but don’t break” defenses that still (to this day) seem to always find their way into the Super Bowls. Josh is a big, fast, quick tackling defensive back who can play multiple positions at a high level for the team that selects him and that my fellow Draftnik’s, is the definition of a player who has first round talent.

Drew Boylhart  MAR.2017