2017 NFL Draft: Washington Sidney Jones Scouting Report

Washington’s Sidney Jones is an underrated cornerback prospect who deserves more hype.

Sidney Jones plays with a swagger in that he’s confident in his skills and isn’t afraid to play aggressive. This style of play makes him a threat to create a turnover at any point in the game. The ability to produce takeaways is something that all defensive coordinators love.

Jones is a fluid and balanced athlete who is capable of keeping in-phase with his target. This is someone who is able to smoothly change direction and close on the ball. His instincts and ability to quickly identify developing routes also helps him limit separation.

The ability to click and close on the ball while reading the quarterback makes Jones a solid fit in a zone system. However, he also has the skills needed to excel in man coverage. Jones possesses excellent ball skills including the ability to track, pluck and high-point the football.

His ability to generate turnovers isn’t limited to interceptions as he also does a good job

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targeting the ball when tackling. He has created more than a few fumbles by stripping the ball or getting his helmet in the right position.

Jones is a solid tackler and is willing to come up and support the run. However, there are times where he seems disinterested in sticking his nose into the action. He needs to give a more consistent effort against the run, but it’s not a major concern and won’t hurt his overall draft status.

One area that could be a concern is his thin frame. The lack of bulk will bring some questions surrounding his durability and how he’ll hold up against the more physical NFL wide receivers. It’ll be interesting to see his official measurements because he looks shorter than his listed height of 6’0”.

Overall, Jones is a strong prospect whose ability to limit separation and create turnovers are valued by NFL evaluators.

Current Draft Status: 1^st Round