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2020 NFL Draft profile: Texas Longhorns safety Brandon Jones

Texas Longhorns safety Brandon Jones is one of four UT players invited to the 2020 NFL Combine. Here are his results.

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Longhorns defensive back Brandon Jones is one of four UT players to be invited to the 2020 NFL Combine. 

In his senior season for the Longhorns, Jones played in eight games and finished second on the team with 86 tackles, tied for second on the team with two interceptions and served some time on punt return, averaging 10.5 yards per return. 

NFL analyst Lance Zielein pegged Jones as "a two-deep or single-high free safety due to man coverage limitations but above-average speed." Zielein said Jones has soft hands and plays with urgency. Zielein added Jones "has third-safety potential and offers early help on special teams."

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Any team that potentially brings Jones into its organization will be getting a state-of-the-art student of the game. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller reported that Jones used his eight weeks of rehab from a routine labrum surgery breaking down every NFL team's defensive plays from 2019. 

Ehlinger doubled down on the report, saying Jones was breaking down film for six to seven hours per day after rehab. 

STRENGTHS (According to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein)

  • Played all three safety positions for the defense
  • Attacking demeanor and wants to be in the action
  • Will play with pain
  • Motor to pursue ball-carriers from across the field
  • Displays agility and reactive athleticism as open-field tackler
  • Alters pursuit angles when needed
  • Speed/range to play over the top
  • Runs with deep cover targets and looks for the football
  • Can step into early role on kick/punt cover teams

WEAKNESSES (According to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein)

  • Can be exploited in man coverage
  • Needs to play with better route anticipation
  • Average response time and lateral burst at break points
  • Very few pass breakups during his career
  • Instincts are just average
  • Could have issues handling big targets on jump balls
  • Doesn't have size to stop runs in their tracks
  • Can be a little slow to read and react to run from single-high

NFL COMBINE PERFORMANCE

  • 40-yard dash: N/A
  • Bench press: N/A
  • Vertical jump: N/A
  • Broad jump: N/A
  • 3-cone drill: N/A
  • 20-yard shuttle drill: N/A

Measurables:

  • Height: 5 feet, 11 inches
  • Weight: 198 pounds
  • Arms: 30 1/8 inches
  • Hands: 8 3/4 inches

NFL DRAFT PROSPECT GRADE

Jones' grade is listed as a 5.93. Here is how his grade lies in the scale:

Grade scale: 

  • 8.0 - The perfect prospect
  • 7.3-7.5 - Perennial All-Pro
  • 7.0-7.1 - Pro Bowl talent
  • 6.7-6.8 - Year 1 quality starter
  • 6.5 - Boom or bust prospect
  • 6.3-6.4 - Will be starter within first two seasons
  • 6.1-6.2 - Good backup who could become starter
  • 6.0 - Developmental traits-based prospect
  • 5.8-5.9 - Backup/special-teamer
  • 5.5-5.6 - Chance to make end of roster or practice squad
  • 5.4 - Priority free agent
  • 5.0-5.1 - Chance to be in an NFL training camp
  • No grade - Likely needs time in developmental league

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