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Kevin Patra
Around the NFL writer
July 21, 2016
In Around The NFL's "Making the Leap" series, we spotlight emerging players to keep an eye on in 2016. Whether rising from no-namer to quality starter or vaulting from standout to superstar, each of these individuals is poised to break through in the coming campaign.
Sometimes the formula for a player bursting into the national consciousness is simple: talent + opportunity = Making the Leap.
Byron Jones certainly has the talent, as evidenced by his successful rookie season. The Cowboys tossed the kitchen sink at the defensive back in his first year, and Jones responded by immediately becoming the team's best secondary defender. In Year 2, Dallas plans to make Jones a permanent safety, which will give him the opportunity to become the ballhawk the Cowboys desperately need.
Even in a league boasting some of the best athletes in the world, Jones' athleticism leaps off the screen. It isn't merely in spandex at the NFL Scouting Combine that the 6-foot, 205-pound defensive back can display his natural ability. His game film shows consistent flashes of speed and leaping ability, which he uses to swat away passes.
During Jones' rookie campaign, the Cowboys asked him to be their do-it-all defender. He started seven games at safety and four at corner. He covered receivers in the slot, he defended on the outside of the formation. He took on tight ends, tackled running backs in space and played free safety, strong safety and even a hybrid linebacker role in certain formations. As NFL defenses scramble to find their own movable chess piece, Jones proved he can succeed in whatever matchup he's tossed into.
However, it's clear when watching him on NFL Game Pass that he's best suited at the free safety spot. From this deep location, Jones excels at reading and diagnosing plays -- both the run and the pass. Playing safety allows him to attack downhill, and he owns the speed to recover, even when he takes a false first step. That speed also ensures Dallas has a defender on the back end who can chase down plays from across the field when necessary.
Read more: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000675794/article/making-the-leap-cowboys-fs-byron-jones
Around the NFL writer
July 21, 2016
In Around The NFL's "Making the Leap" series, we spotlight emerging players to keep an eye on in 2016. Whether rising from no-namer to quality starter or vaulting from standout to superstar, each of these individuals is poised to break through in the coming campaign.
Sometimes the formula for a player bursting into the national consciousness is simple: talent + opportunity = Making the Leap.
Byron Jones certainly has the talent, as evidenced by his successful rookie season. The Cowboys tossed the kitchen sink at the defensive back in his first year, and Jones responded by immediately becoming the team's best secondary defender. In Year 2, Dallas plans to make Jones a permanent safety, which will give him the opportunity to become the ballhawk the Cowboys desperately need.
Even in a league boasting some of the best athletes in the world, Jones' athleticism leaps off the screen. It isn't merely in spandex at the NFL Scouting Combine that the 6-foot, 205-pound defensive back can display his natural ability. His game film shows consistent flashes of speed and leaping ability, which he uses to swat away passes.
During Jones' rookie campaign, the Cowboys asked him to be their do-it-all defender. He started seven games at safety and four at corner. He covered receivers in the slot, he defended on the outside of the formation. He took on tight ends, tackled running backs in space and played free safety, strong safety and even a hybrid linebacker role in certain formations. As NFL defenses scramble to find their own movable chess piece, Jones proved he can succeed in whatever matchup he's tossed into.
However, it's clear when watching him on NFL Game Pass that he's best suited at the free safety spot. From this deep location, Jones excels at reading and diagnosing plays -- both the run and the pass. Playing safety allows him to attack downhill, and he owns the speed to recover, even when he takes a false first step. That speed also ensures Dallas has a defender on the back end who can chase down plays from across the field when necessary.
Read more: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000675794/article/making-the-leap-cowboys-fs-byron-jones
