Joeythetapeworm Posted March 31, 2005 Share Posted March 31, 2005 NFL Nuggets: Jones vaulting into the first round? Joe West sports@nwarktimes.com Posted on Thursday, March 31, 2005 URL: http://www.nwanews.com/story/nwat/26670 Wow. Everyone knows Matt Jones can jump, but this is ridiculous. Jones seems to have made a 40-inch vertical leap up the draft board, and could land as high as the latter part of the first round. Just try doing any NFL Draft research without the former Arkansas quarterback’s name popping up. He’s everywhere. On ESPN’s Tuesday "Sportscenter," NFL analyst Chris Mortensen discussed the possibility of Jones winding up in the first round of the upcoming draft. NFL. com’s Pat Kirwan wrote, "This may be the year to look at an ‘X’ QB who is 6-6, 242 pounds with a sub-4.4 40 and practically a 40-inch vertical, which [Jones] developed by playing basketball for the Razorbacks, and say he’s the best prospect after the top 16 players." NFL. com senior analyst Gil Brandt concurs, writing, "[Jones has] just flat-out incredible numbers... A lot of coaches have all kinds of ideas on where to play Jones, but only one team will have the chance to draft him." Sports Illustrated’s Peter King recently mused that Jones could be picked by St. Louis (No. 19) or Pittsburgh (No. 30). From this perspective, No. 19 seems a bit high, but Rams head coach Mike Martz has a penchant for trickeration, which seems to be right up Jones’ alley. Jones is tall, quick and athletic. He can run fast, jump high, play physical and catch the ball in traffic. What NFL team doesn’t need a guy like that? Average speed? Here’s an excerpt from the 2005 The Sporting News NFL Draft guide: "[Matt Jones] lacks great initial quickness and has just average speed." The TSN guide — which was obviously compiled prior to the NFL Combine — also has Jones’ 40-yard dash time listed at 4.65. Where do they come up with these numbers? It’s obvious to anyone who has actually seen Jones play that he could run a 4.65 40 with Roseanne Barr strapped to his back. At the combine, Jones showed what kind of "average" speed he possesses by blazing through the 40 in 4.37 seconds. In another attempt, he ran a 4.38. That’s better-than-average speed in anyone’s book. And that’s why Jones — despite nagging shoulder and leg injuries and not much experience at receiver — has vaulted from a lateround project to a potential first-round differencemaker. Top rookies The wonderful combine coverage this year on the NFL Network allowed the crack NFL Nuggets research team (which consists of one portly dude and his portly dog) access to more pre-draft information than ever before. Unfortunately, many of the top draft-available players didn’t work out at the combine, and some who did only participated in part of the drills. So, private workouts notwithstanding, here’s the NFL Nuggets’ top five players in the upcoming draft, regardless of position: 1. Braylon Edwards, WR, Michigan. The only can’tmiss in this year’s draft. Some have complained about a lack of consistency, but 97 catches for 1,330 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2004 tells a different story. Edwards’ three-TD game in the Rose Bowl against Texas shows he can step up against big-time competition. Any receiver who can bench 225 pounds 23 times and still run a sub-4.5 40 would be a great addition to any offense. 2. Antrel Rolle, CB, Miami (Fla.). Maybe the most NFLready player in the draft. Not only is Rolle a top-flight cover corner, he can shift to safety or nickel back with no problem whatsoever. A real physical presence. 3. Derrick Johnson, LB, Texas. Arkansas fans know how dangerous this guy can be. Could Johnson somehow fall to Dallas at No. 11? 4. Ronnie Brown, RB, Auburn. Another player Arkansas fans are familiar with. Now here’s a guy who really helped himself at the combine and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Brown was the first running back off the board, ahead of college teammate Cadillac Williams and Texas’ Cedric Benson. 5. Alex Smith, QB, Utah. Some mock drafts have the 49 ers selecting Cal passer Aaron Rodgers with the No. 1 overall pick, and that might be the best move for them box office-wise. But from this corner it looks like Smith is a little more mobile and accurate than Rodgers (though not as strongarmed). San Francisco is really in a pickle with the first pick. The Niners would really like to trade down for more picks to fill their many gaping holes, but they also don’t want division foe Arizona (No. 8 pick) getting its hands on one of the two top passers in the draft. Joe West is the assistant sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dg28daman Posted March 31, 2005 Share Posted March 31, 2005 I like Matt Jones. If we were able to get him I would be happy. We need a big receiver, and hes as big as they get. If he has any kind of hands at all I say we grab him.(First round is a stretch though) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimster Posted April 1, 2005 Share Posted April 1, 2005 I got to wonder with Pittsburg losing Plaxico and their low 1st draft status, if they would take a chance on him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VAsBeachBoy Posted April 1, 2005 Share Posted April 1, 2005 Hmm... I would love Pitt. to take him if only to keep Philly from even thinkin about it with 31 or 34... PLEEEAAASSSEEEE PITT... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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