April 28, 2017
Assuming Sidney Jones is able to recover from the torn Achilles' tendon he suffered on his pro day, the Eagles got a steal in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
The 20-year-old cornerback out of Washington was projected to go in the top half of the first round prior to his injury and was regarded by many as the best cornerback in the class.
Here's a look at what you need to know about the Birds' second pick of the weekend, aside from the fact that he thinks Tony Romo sucks.
Born: May 21, 1996 | Diamond Bar, Calif.
Height: 6'0" | Weight: 181 lbs.
High School: West Covina (CA)
College: Washington
2016 Second-Team All-America (Sports Illustrated, Football Writers)
2016 First-Team All-Pac-12
2015 CoSIDA District VIII Academic All-America
2015 First-Team All-Pac-12
2015 Second-Team Academic All-Pac-12
| YR | GM | TOT (SOLO/AST) |
TFL | INT | FF/FR |
| 2014 | 13 | 61 (48/13) |
2.5 | 2 | 1/1 |
| 2015 | 13 | 45 (30/15) |
3.5 | 4 | 3/2 |
| 2016 | 14 | 39 (27/12) |
2.5 | 2 | 2/0 |
| CAREER | 40 | 145 (105/40) |
8.5 | 8 | 6/3 |
Here's what NFL Network's Mike Mayock had to say about the Eagles' pick: "Popular choice in Philadelphia. Before he got hurt, Philly wanted Sidney Jones at No. 14. ... He reminds me of Marcus Peters, another Washington Husky. What I love about him is he's got instincts, he's got ball skills and he will tackle even though he's lean at 186."
And here's the scouting report on Jones, according to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:
STRENGTHS Competes all over the field. Doesn't play pitty-pat with his jam from press. Throws stiff lead right into the shoulder of receivers like a boxer. Maximizes contact with receivers within first five yards. Eyes are top notch. Balances between quarterback's eyes and his man from all off coverages. Ready to close on throws anywhere near his area. Route magnet. Pattern anticipation allows him to map receivers path and undercut route. Prioritizes ball over man and attacks catch point with slaps and rips. Has nine career interceptions and got a hand on 21.3 percent of balls thrown his way over last two seasons. Early ball tracker with length and leaping to attack the high point. Mirrors receiver acceleration out of their breaks. Twitchy feet for click-and-close transitions and instant change of direction from shuffle technique. Solid recovery quickness.
WEAKNESSES Tore his Achilles tendon at his pro day which will require an extensive rehab process. Carries slender frame. Needs to add upper body strength in preparation for NFL size. Was jostled around by JuJu Schuster-Smith out of press coverage and at the top of the route. Scouts like his quickness but worry about his ability to carry speed down the field. Gets impatient from press. Loses positioning by reaching and lunging to get hands on receiver rather than letting the release come to him. Can still improve his transition footwork. Fights his hips a little when flipping to change direction in open field. Physical receivers can wall him out of tackle action in run support.
SOURCES TELL US "I think he picked up all of (Marcus) Peters' good traits as a player without the personality defects. He marries that great FBI (football intelligence) with an explosive close-out and that will win in the pros just like it wins in college. You will always wish he was 198 pounds, but he won't be." -- NFC East regional scout
NFL COMPARISON Marcus Peters
BOTTOM LINE Jones is a "casino cornerback" who has the ball skills and instincts to tilt the odds in his favor when quarterbacks look his way. His toughness and desire to make plays on the ball are remarkably similar to his friend and off-season workout buddy, Marcus Peters. Jones has lockdown corner talent but unfortunately, teams will have to wrestle with his draft positioning as there is no guarantee that Jones can come back with the same quickness and speed as before. [NFL.com]
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