In Thursday’s NFL Draft, UConn’s Byron Jones became the highest drafted Husky since Donald Brown was taken in 2007 by the Indianapolis Colts.
Jones was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 27th overall pick.
After both Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon got selected in the top 15 picks, the Cowboys decided to build up their secondary with Jones and did so at the right time at the draft.
It was unclear where Jones stood on the draft boards of the 32 teams, but it was probably after the first tier of Trae Waynes and Kevin Johnson who went 11th and 16th respectively. It was also thought that the workout warrior would be a major steal if he did slip into the second round.
Jones saw his draft stock jump almost as high and far as he did at the NFL Combine.
The 6-foot-1 corner’s vertical was the best out of any defensive back at the combine at 44.5”. His broad jump (12’3”) beat out every DB’s attempt by at least a foot and some change.
Now as a member of the Cowboys, the former Husky could be Morris Claiborne’s replacement after Jerry Jones and Co. decided not to pick up his fifth-year option for 2016 according to reports. Claiborne is best labeled as injury-prone since his 7th overall selection in the 2012 draft as he’s only played in 21 of a possible 50 games due to injuries.
However, Jones’ health bill is not 100 percent clean either.
Jones played in only seven games of his senior season due to a shoulder injury that he later had surgery on. It was a minor concern heading into the combine, but he didn’t need it rechecked which gave teams confidence that he was a first-round guy.
Byron Jones on the health of his shoulder: “I am 100%. I’m back to full strength and ready to go. I’ll be ready (for rookie minicamp).”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 1, 2015
With the status of Claiborne up in the air for the start of camp and opposite corner Brandon Carr becoming a hurt to the salary cap and not open to a pay cut, Jones could find himself starting at corner or providing depth as a safety. His adaptability to both positions made him an attractive pick to any team with secondary needs.
If Claiborne had panned out like the Cowboys wanted him to (they traded up to get him), Jones wouldn’t be the likely pick for them here.
If Carr does accept a paycut, the Cowboys could easily move Jones to safety — his original position at UConn before the 2013 season.
The Cowboys gave up the 7th-most passing yards last year and opposing quarterbacks completed 66.5 percent of their passes against them — tying the ‘Boys with the ‘Skins as the NFC East’s worst in the category.
Jones will see the talents of Victor Cruz, Odell Beckham Jr., DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and fellow rookie Nelson Agholor twice a year in the NFC East.
However, the last word belongs to the best receiver in the division, Jones’ new teammate Dez Bryant.
He better be a dog congrats
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) May 1, 2015
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