Jack Jones: New 2022 Patriot! Starter Potential?
Jack Jones could end up being a sneaky contributor come October. Let’s dive into why.
Many experts believe the Patriots had an awful draft. A Chatanooga guard in the first round, a receiver who was not the best option on the board, and an undersized cornerback. Plus, New England had failed to add a linebacker, a position that analysts believed the Patriots desperately needed.
However, Bill Belichick knows what he needs more than anyone on ESPN, Bleacher Report, and PFF. That’s why Belichick won six Super Bowls with the Patriots and these analysts have no control over the draft.
Starting Tom Brady over Drew Bledsoe was heavily criticized, but we all know how that worked out.
In recent history, the Patriots have had some amazing cornerbacks, but they always allow them to walk shortly after their need is fulfilled. Malcolm Butler, Stephon Gilmore, and J.C. Jackson are famous examples of this. But what makes the process so unique is that New England almost always finds a replacement, and Jack Jones could be that guy.
Overview
The Patriots selected Arizona State cornerback Jack Jones with the 121st pick in this year’s draft. At 24 years old, he is on the older side of NFL prospects. At 5’10” and 175 lbs, Jones is a bit undersized compared to most cornerbacks currently in the league.
He ran a pretty average 4.52 40-yard dash but sports an impressive 35″ vertical, which makes up for any height concerns.
He has had some issues off of the field, after being arrested for breaking into a Panda Express. He also reportedly had some academic issues, which forced him to miss practices. As a five-star recruit, he went from solidifying himself as USC’s best cornerback to not even starting at Arizona State.
However, it’s clear that Jones had made some serious steps toward improvement, as he went to Moorpark College in between to improve his grades. It’s impressive that he was able to keep his career on track and make it to the draft. The talent is obviously there, and now the mindset will be too, as Jones will fight to become the Patriots’ next star cornerback.
Fit with New England
Jack Jones will now be in a cornerback trio full of Jones: Jack Jones, fellow rookie Marcus Jones, and veteran Jonathan Jones. With Jonathan Jones getting up there in age, it’s good that the Patriots took a lot of corners this year.
Marcus Jones might be forced to play more of a slot cornerback role due to his size, so Jack Jones could become the next Patriots’ number one corner, much like Gilmore and Jackson.
He has some great mentors in the locker room in Malcolm Butler and Jonathan Jones, as well as Belichick himself. It’s safe to say that Jack Jones has found himself in a great situation to succeed in New England.
Jones is reportedly a great man-to-man corner, which was the role Stephon Gilmore played in New England. He also has good ball skills, which could be useful for a secondary that’s missing the ball-hawk in J.C. Jackson. Although he is a bit undersized and has questionable risk-taking, most of his issues are things that can be fixed in camp.
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Final Thoughts
Guys like Jack Jones are the type to be the hardest workers in the locker room. Not a lot of people are willing to transfer to a Junior college in order to continue their career, but Jones did. Despite his behavioral and academic issues, Jack Jones was able to transfer to Arizona State and get drafted into the NFL.
Anything he lacks in size, Jones makes up for in effort, which is the epitome of a Belichick-era Patriot. I could see Jack Jones having an impact in the New England defense as soon as this season. I can’t wait to see him fulfill his potential with the Patriots this year.
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