Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyHammersticks
Thanks for posting these, Franchise!
If you don't mind, what was his writeup on Travis Jones and where did he have him ranked overall? I trust 1000% in Veach and Cook is an intriguing pick, but I hope we don't regret passing on Jones for him down the road.
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STRENGTHS: Physically impressive with his broad, thick frame ... has worked hard to reshape his body and weight distribution (lost 30-plus pounds since he arrived at
UConn) ... explosive out of his stance and resets the line of scrimmage with his get-off ... doesn’t consistently create knock-back, but has the bully power to work
blockers off balance and drive them backward ... comfortably forces his way through bodies with long-arm techniques ... will use various swat, rip and snatch moves
to leverage gaps ... able to stack and shed at the point of attack using his strong, physical hands ... diagnoses quickly vs. the run and has a feel for where the play is
headed ... consistently attracted double teams on tape ... has a quiet and positive attitude off the field, but competes with some mean to him on the field ... voted a
senior captain in 2021 and I talked with several teammates who identified him as the “hardest worker” on the team ... posted consistent tackle production each
season at UConn and led the team in sacks as a senior ... had dominant reps during Senior Bowl practices.
WEAKNESSES: Still maturing as a pass rusher ... his move-to-move transitions must become more seamless to take advantage of his initial quickness and power ... can
be late off the snap and struggles to play from behind ... has some slight stiffness and his pad level must become more consistent ... needs a moment to rev back up
after he gears down ... finds himself on the ground more than you want to see ... lost a full season in 2020 because of COVID and missed one game as a senior
because of a right foot injury (September 2021).
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at UConn, Jones played three-technique and nose tackle in defensive coordinator Lou Spanos’ four-man front. Recruited primarily as
an offensive guard out of high school, he reshaped his body and developed into an impactful defensive tackle since joining the Huskies, despite a 21-month layoff
between the 2019 and 2021 seasons and the program posting a 4-32 record (three of those wins vs. FCS teams) over his four years in college. A big-bodied athlete
with strong legs and arms, Jones is quick off the ball and powerful through his hips to be disruptive vs. both the pass and the run. He uses quickness and forceful hand
moves to get his nose in the gap, but he needs to harness his momentum and consistently use his secondary moves to shoot through. Overall, Jones’ pass rush
technique is still a work-in-progress, but he creates problems for interior blockers with his athletic movements and explosive upper body to stack, shed and toss.
He projects as an early NFL starter with two-gap potential.
GRADE: 1st-2nd Round (No. 34 overall)