Why was Byron Jones rated so low before the combine?

[JoeKing]

The biggest thing I can see that hurt his reputation before the combine was the shoulder injury that he endured and caused him to miss most of the 2014 season. Out of site, out of mind. His outstanding performance at the combine was the best way to reintroduce himself to the scouts and make the statement that his health is no longer an issue.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I'm sure playing at lowly Connecticut hurt his projection as well.

This. Pre combine big boards are filled with big name players

 

[darthseinfeld]

Fair enough. I think it's fair to say he was projected to be somewhere around a 3rd rounder, at best. right? If that is the case, does it not concern you that he jumped into the first round after having a great workout at the combine? I really wish we had more footage of him playing, because it would probably put all of this to rest.

So did Donotari Poe. Possibly the best DT in football

 

[tyke1doe]

I noticed in a few pre draft magazines, he's not even listed among the cornerbacks.

 

[JBell]

Fair enough. I think it's fair to say he was projected to be somewhere around a 3rd rounder, at best. right? If that is the case, does it not concern you that he jumped into the first round after having a great workout at the combine? I really wish we had more footage of him playing, because it would probably put all of this to rest.

I'm not too concerned. There are late risers/fallers in the draft every year.

People have no issues dropping a guy a few rounds if they have a terrible combine, or if they're a ****** human being. It's understandable, you wanna minimize risk.

But why is if a guys' draft stock IMPROVES a few rounds due to his combine or good character, we all become skeptical?

With Jones' measurables + his work ethic/character/intelligence, I just don't see him being a bust.

"I'm a no-nonsense guy," Jones said. "I love football but more importantly, I love the process. I love practice. I love watching film. I love the weight room. I know what I have to do to be the best."

 

[AdamJT13]

Fair enough. I think it's fair to say he was projected to be somewhere around a 3rd rounder, at best. right?

As I posted above, Daniel Jeremiah had him 50th before the Combine, so "third rounder at best" would not be correct.

If that is the case, does it not concern you that he jumped into the first round after having a great workout at the combine?

Not at all. He missed almost half the season with an injury and didn't play against the best competition. Scouts naturally would question his ability somewhat. When they got to see him work out, they realized that his off-the-charts athleticism should allow him to succeed against top competition, too. Plenty of other prospects from the non-power conferences have proved themselves at the Combine, the Senior Bowl, etc. Jones didn't have a chance to play in the Senior Bowl because of his shoulder injury, though.

I really wish we had more footage of him playing, because it would probably put all of this to rest.

Actual scouts have access to all of the footage they need.

 

[risco]

This article was written in February:
http://www.theuconnblog.com/2015/2/...combine-nfl-draft-profile-2015-uconn-football



Does this concern anyone? His combine numbers jumped him from a late round CB to a 1st rounder. From what I have seen in his limited youtube video clips, he didn't seem that impressive to me. There are some choice quotes from that article.

I was not impressed at all but only time will tell.

 

[perrykemp]

Why on earth would they take a player in round 1 without instincts at a position that instincts is especially needed? Workout warriors always scare me. We'll see in time I guess.

Because at the bottom of the 1st round the cost-benefit analysis says you <can> take chances on guys like this. Nobody is going to be perfect at the bottom of the 1st round in what is generally a weak draft anyway.

 

[Broges74]

I think we feel he has all the tools, drive and intelligence to do well in the NFL. Workout warriors at the cb position I think have a higher rate of success than other positions.

 

[Clarkson]

Jeremiah posted this AFTER the combine.

I'm confused, is this supposed to be an indictment on Jones?

 

[cmoney23]

With this narrow minded way of thinking a lot of good players would be missed

Not sure how my view is Narrow minded... I actually think its pretty encompassing. I looked at it from about every angle.

 

[TrailBlazer]

He played on an awful defense that made it impossible to stand out.

Should make it easier to stand out. Lower competition. Easier to dominate. This day in age it Doesn't matter where you go to school. If you're good enough, the coaches/school will get the word out. Nobody gets overlooked. A bunch of scouts get paid to find these guys.

 

[Doomsday101]

I had read some reports were some felt Jones was a 2nd rd leading into the combines. Combines have been know to lower a player or make a player rise on draft day. Kid went in ready to take on the combines and helped himself. Meantime I think the Cowboys got a quality DB who is intelligent and a hard worker with all the physical skills to make it at this level.

 

[erod]

I had read some reports were some felt Jones was a 2nd rd leading into the combines. Combines have been know to lower a player or make a player rise on draft day. Kid went in ready to take on the combines and helped himself. Meantime I think the Cowboys got a quality DB who is intelligent and a hard worker with all the physical skills to make it at this level.

That happened to Dontari Poe, and he turned out to be the real deal. Other times, it ends up being a mistake.

 

[Doomsday101]

That happened to Dontari Poe, and he turned out to be the real deal. Other times, it ends up being a mistake.

The draft is a big unknown for all players. What I like about this kid is he is smart and a hard worker who has the skills. It is not as if he is too small or too slow and I expect a guy who is willing to put in the work and learn to be able to improve.

 

[xwalker]

Should make it easier to stand out. Lower competition. Easier to dominate. This day in age it Doesn't matter where you go to school. If you're good enough, the coaches/school will get the word out. Nobody gets overlooked. A bunch of scouts get paid to find these guys.

Keep in mind his "jump" up the rankings was in the draft media rankings, not the NFL team rankings. The Cowboys probably had him ranked highly in December.

 

[Blackspider214]

Because he's nothing more than a workout/combine warrior. These reports are much more accurate because they reflect what he actually did on the field. Combines are not played on Sunday. A football game is. And he has tons to improve on in that aspect.

It was not a good pick. So many more safer cornerbacks to get in the later rounds without dropping a 1st rounder. I do not trust this team's ability to scout corners ala Jenkins, Claiborne, Carr. All busts. And we spent a lot to get them.

Malcolm Brown was sitting in their laps and they took a guy just because he did good on some drills in the combine.

8 picks in 4 years at college? There's a reason so many are not high on him.

 

[Idgit]

Because he's nothing more than a workout/combine warrior. These reports are much more accurate because they reflect what he actually did on the field. Combines are not played on Sunday. A football game is. And he has tons to improve on in that aspect.

It was not a good pick. So many more safer cornerbacks to get in the later rounds without dropping a 1st rounder. I do not trust this team's ability to scout corners ala Jenkins, Claiborne, Carr. All busts. And we spent a lot to get them.

Malcolm Brown was sitting in their laps and they took a guy just because he did good on some drills in the combine.

8 picks in 4 years at college? There's a reason so many are not high on him.

Sorry, but this is just a really bad take. This kid was coached by our former defensive coordinator. We had good data on this player that had nothing at all to do with his combine workouts. There's just no getting around that.

It's also silly for you to think the consumer 'scouting' reports are going to be better than anything NFL teams are doing. If a player's moving in a scouting report that's generated for entertainment purposes, it's because the internet scouts are getting more information and improving their report. It's not an indication that NFL teams are changing their minds at the last minute about kids they've been watching and documenting for years based on a broad jump score.

EDIT: Brandon Carr and Mike Jenkins also were not 'busts' as NFL draft picks go.

 

[Aven8]

Sorry, but this is just a really bad take. This kid was coached by our former defensive coordinator. We had good data on this player that had nothing at all to do with his combine workouts. There's just no getting around that.

It's also silly for you to think the consumer 'scouting' reports are going to be better than anything NFL teams are doing. If a player's moving in a scouting report that's generated for entertainment purposes, it's because the internet scouts are getting more information and improving their report. It's not an indication that NFL teams are changing their minds at the last minute about kids they've been watching and documenting for years based on a broad jump score.

EDIT: Brandon Carr and Mike Jenkins also were not 'busts' as NFL draft picks go.

This is also indicated throughout the draft when we see Grady Jarrett, etc fall and every fan is saying what? The teams know these guys well, the media and fans not so much!

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Sorry, but this is just a really bad take. This kid was coached by our former defensive coordinator. We had good data on this player that had nothing at all to do with his combine workouts. There's just no getting around that.

It's also silly for you to think the consumer 'scouting' reports are going to be better than anything NFL teams are doing. If a player's moving in a scouting report that's generated for entertainment purposes, it's because the internet scouts are getting more information and improving their report. It's not an indication that NFL teams are changing their minds at the last minute about kids they've been watching and documenting for years based on a broad jump score.

EDIT: Brandon Carr and Mike Jenkins also were not 'busts' as NFL draft picks go.

Yeah that confused me too. IMO, they only guy they have misjudged thus far is Claiborne and IMO, Claiborne confidence and injuries are more so what has been holding him back.

I'm amazed how even in 2015 we can still knock this front office's scouting. Mike Jenkins was a solid pick. Late 1st rounder....made a Pro Bowl.