Here is the PFF draft profile for Mississippi State's Chris Jones, which incorporates PFF’s college grades and scouting intel from our team of analysts. To see all of PFF’s 2016 scouting reports, click here.
Position rank: 2
Overall rank: Top 10
Position fit:
3-4 defensive end or 4-3 defensive tackle. Could also play some base end in a 4-3.
Stats to know:
Highest pass rushing grade of any draft eligible player from the SEC. Second-highest grade among all defensive interior players versus the power-5
What he does best:
• Elite strength. When he plays low, offensive linemen end up in the backfield
• Elite length. Able to keep his body clean and control guards with one or two hands
• Size and skilset to line up anywhere on the line and be effective
• Plays through linemen to the running back as opposed to attacking running backs and getting washed out
Biggest concern:
• Terribly inconsistent. Lowest grade of the season came against Northwestern State
• Effort is a concern. Looked to give up on some plays even though he wasn’t playing a high volume of snaps and had more negative grades than you’d like from a top pick.
• Burst off the line is lacking. Has a tendency to get high off the snap and play patty cake
• Didn’t show the change of direction to translate pressures into sacks and bring down quarterbacks
Player comparison:
It’s hard not to see some Muhammad Wilkerson in Jones’ game. Strength and length are the calling cards for each. And it’s not unlikely for Jones to have a similar career arc. Wilkerson struggled adjusting to the pro game as a rookie before becoming one of the game’s premier interior defenders.
Bottom line:
The Mississippi State defensive tackle is terribly unrefined at this point, but his physical tools are too vast to ignore. He’s only a junior yet already produced at a level unrivaled in the SEC. If his consistency improves in the NFL, he’ll be worthy of a top-10 pick.
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