Predraft Analysis: Christian Jones
Christian Jones has experience and success playing multiple positions on the defense, seeing time at defensive end, inside linebacker and as an outside edge rush linebacker during his career at Florida State.
He is a top end athlete, who uses his tall and lean built to stay close with opposing receivers when dropping into coverage.
Jones is rarely caught out of position and his game tape shows good pursuit with tracking down the football. He makes consistent plays throughout the football game, a good form tackler who can get after the quarterback when asked.
If you are a “stat check” only person, the numbers are not going to jump at you in terms of total sacks (8) and interceptions (1). Jones was asked to play out of position due to “team need”, often taking away opportunities to add to his sack total.
Jones is the type of player that will do whatever is asked of him to better his team.
At times, being the height that Jones is will affect his stance and overall leverage. Jones would benefit from going to a team that used him in “set” packages to start the season and increase his snaps as the season moved on.
Jones has the make-up of being a three down linebacker at either the inside or outside position. Jones is projected as a late third that could slip to the early fourth round if teams only base his worth on sack totals.
In addition to Jones, the Eagles could certainly add depth behind their current defensive ends as well as the linebacker core.
There are defensive ends late in the NFL draft that come from big time colleges and would provide immediate depth behind Cox and Thorton.
At linebacker, the Eagles have their starting four, but Cole and Ryans could both be cap casualties a year from now with their 2015 salary figures. The Eagle must find a linebacker they can count on in coverage. Barwin is best suited to attack the quarterback and the same with Kendricks.
There is deep talent in this draft at the inside and outside linebacker positions. The defensive end group has decent depth that could help the Eagles coordinator from feeling the need to blitz with extra linebackers and guys in the secondary.
Defensive standouts are being drafted in the later rounds, and it only takes a quick glance at what names were making big contributions for the Seahawks Super Bowl win.
If the Eagles end up going wide receiver in round one after the likes of Barr and Mosely are selected before their turn, they “must” decide on the right players in days two and three of the draft to improve the defensive front seven of this football team.
Round 1
OLB-Anthony Barr (UCLA)
ILB-C.J. Mosley (Alabama)
DE-RaShede Hageman(Minnesota), Stephon Tuitt (Notre Dame)
Round 2
OLB-Demarcus Lawrence (Boise State), Dee Ford (Auburn),Carl Bradford (Arizona State), Jeremiah Attaochu (Georgia Tech)
Round 3
DE- Scott Crichton (Oregon State), Kareem Martin (North Carolina)
ILB- Chris Borland (Wisconsin)
OLB- Kyle Van Noy (BYU), Trent Murphy (Stanford)
Round 4
DE- James Gayle (Virginia Tech)
ILB- Shayne Skov (Stanford)
OLB- Jordan Tripp (Montana), Trevor Reiley (Utah) Marcus Smith (Louisville), Jackson Jeffcoat (Texas), Will Clarke (West Virginia)
Round 5
OLB-Adrian Hubbard (Alabama), Kevin Pierre-Louis( Boston College), Aaron Lynch (South Florida) Devon Kennard (Southern California), Khairi Fortt (California)
Round 6
DE- Ed Stinson (Alabama)
ILB-Max Bullough (Michigan State), Andrew Jackson (Western Kentucky)
Round 7/Undrafted
DE-Jeoffrey Pagan (Alabama)
ILB- Spencer Shuey (Clemson), James Morris (Iowa)
OLB- Kasim Edebali (Boston College) Nate Askew (A&M)
I have had Christian jones in 98% of mock drafts for that very reason he is very versatile and Kelly loves that plus they have needs at where he plays to top it off he can cover if I’m the eagles this is my 3rd pick hands down he can either take over for cole or demeco next year.
He won’t be there in the 3rd round.
I believe LB Christian Jones will be on the Board in the 3rd Round at #86,
Now whether the Eagles take him or not, who knows..
I like LB C Jones for many of the reasons you listed above
He’s smart, high-motor & versatile.. he will need to get Stronger and use his hands better as all College Players need to when they enter the NFL
In the Eagles 3-4 Scheme, I see Jones better suited as a ILB and posibly as a OLB in Pass coverages on Passing Downs…
There are a few other LB’s that you didn’t mention that I like the EAgles to consider Drafting
At ILB –
Preston Brown (Louisville 6-1 251lbs – Projected 4th Rounder)
Yawin Smallwood (U Conn 6-2 246lbs – Projected 5th/6th Rounder)
Jeremiah George (Iowa St 5-11 235lbs – Projected 7th Rounder)
Steve Bivitto (Boston College 6-2 242lbs – Projected 7th Rounder)
Brandon Denmark (Florida A&M 6-3 245lbs – Projected 7th/Undrafted FA)
Spencer Shuey (Clemson 6-3 245lbs – UDFA)
At OLB (For Pass-Coverage Abilities)
Trevor Reilly (Utah 6-5 245lbs – Projected 3rd/4th Rounder)
Jordan Zumwalt (UCLA 6-4 235lbs – Projected 4th Rounder)
Howard Jones (Shepard 6-3 235lbs – Projected 5th Rounder)
Derrell Johnson (East Carolina 6-2 257lbs – Projected 6th/7th Rounder)
Jonathon Newsome (Ball State 6-3 247lbs – Projected 7th/UDFA)
OLB (For Pass Rushers)
Chris Smith (Arkansas 6-1 266lbs – Projected 3rd Rounder)
James Gayle (Virgina Tech 6-4 260lbs – Projected 4th Rounder)
Adrian Hubbard (Alabama 6-6 257lbs – Projected 5th Rounder)
Michael Sam (Missouri 6-2 261lbs – Projected 5th Rounder)
Jayrone Elliot (Toledo 6-3 255lbs – Projected 7th/UDFA)
Cotton Underwood (Illinois St 6-3 255lbs – Projected 7th/UDFA)
Chidea Uzo-Dribe (COlerado 6-2 255lbs – Projected UDFA)
Darryl Cato-Bishop (NC State 6-3 257lbs – Projected UDFA)
I’m not a fan of Christian Jones – I think he is just a name, but will be overmatched at the next level…..
I do like Jeremiah George, and Brandon Denmark(my guy in the 7th) on your list Paul, and that’s it….
Jones will be a 3 down LB and a better pro than Mosley.
Im a fan of Christian Jones. I would take him in the 3rd but I agree with Biglion that I doubt he will be there. Because of his size and versatility I think he will def be considered by the Eagle. Even though I like Jones, I disagree with you about Mosely Biglion. I think he will be a stud in the NFL.
Just like pretty much every prospect, it all depends on where these guys land. do they land on the right teams to succeed..to me thats a huge issue people overlook when just calling someone a bust.
Bowman and Willis were the same size coming into the Pros as Mosely is..if we drafted Bowman my guess is he would not be the beast he currently is as a Niner in that defense.
Anyways I would love to see a defense focused draft but I doubt that will happen with this coach. I agree with Paulman in that my preference for 22 (if they pick there) would be Barr, Pryor, Mosely. If those guys are gone I take a good look at Dix or I go offense in Beckham or Lee.
Im not big on going corner at 22 because I dont think the value is there. I think some of the top guys can be taken in the second. I also like those Florida corners in Watkins and Purifoy in round 2-4
I dont think BArr gets by the Cowboys at 17 tho. I could see him as their replacement to Ware. People are talking about them taking Johnny Football but I don’t think he has a chance to make it anywhere close to 17.
Jones is not in Mosley’s class its not even close.
I definitely disagree respectfully Biggie…..
I don’t like any of the Florida State Prospects – except the OT – that includes Jameis Winston for next year…
Different FSU players Cliff these are not the over hyped Bowden kids these are well coached talented Football players.
they may not be Bowden’s kids mBiggie, but they are overhyped…
gmc, you’re correct. I don’t like FSU players either. Same goes for ND players, & USC stiff QB’s, that always blow in the NFL.
LMBO!!!!!……No offense Biggie….
Big, have you watched both Jones & Moseley play? Jones is too skinny for his size, & is an OLB. Moseley is a very good, all around LB, with the versatility to play outside. He will be a stud ILB, in a 3-4, or a 4-3. He can cover, blitz, hit, & play in the box. If he’s there at #22, the Birds would be stupid not to draft him. He’s a combo of Jon Beason, & Demeco Ryans.
Yes but I can’t get the last game Mosley played out of my mind he was horrible against Oklahoma couldn’t cover anyone and looked lost in coverage was only effective when he blitzed. My concern with Smith is when he stands up he plays too high.
Everyone has a clunker Big, & I believe he was playing with hammy, & groin issues, in that game. Dude, is going to be a stud. I usually don’t go out on a limb, & prognosticate future play, but Moseley, Dix, Pryor, Evans, Matthews, Watkins, Nix, Jean-Baptiste, IMHO, are going to be studs.
paulman….you do remember Chip saying “big people beat up little people” right? You have a few light weights and a midget in there.
Jeremiah George- Midget and lightweight. He doesn’t have the frame to add enough bulk. Not an Eagles possibility.
Zumwalt, H Jones, and Denmark are not good players. Denmark transferred from Illinois bc he couldn’t handle the talent in the Big 10.
Under 250lbs, or have the frame to add weight, at LB is a light weight that doesn’t fit a 3-4 scheme. Very few lightweights make it in the NFL. They get by in college by pure athleticism and speed, can’t get by like that in the NFL.
Christian Jones has the frame to add 15lbs but I am cautious about Fla St LB’s. I wouldn’t be upset if they picked him but I would be reserved to praise the pick.
My list is Players (LB’s) in the later Rounds who need a year to two to develop,to get bigger & stronger as all Draft Prospects do once in a NFL weight program
Yes I know that paulman, but some guys don’t have the framework to add weight. It stiffens them or slows them down. I gained weight from working out but it has slowed me down on the base paths. Can’t just expect someone to gain muscle weight and they stay as athletic, not everyone is made like that.
LOL!! I guess there’s no surprise my players were addressed in the post above……laughable E0S….
I have both Jeremiah George, Howard Jones, and Brandon Denmark, as 7- UDFA’s
All will make impacts on whatever team they play on in their careers in some capacity.
Christian Jones, is not a good player.
My Monday mock draft
#22-Haha Clinton-Dix*, S, Alabama
Height: 6-1. Weight: 208.
40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round (2014): 1.
#54-Austin Seferian-Jenkins*, TE, Washington
Height: 6-6. Weight: 266.
Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
Projected Round (2014): 1-2.
#86-Christian Jones, OLB/ILB, Florida State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 240.
40 Time: 4.74.
Projected Round (2014): 2-3.
#122-Dri Archer, WR/RB, Kent State
Height: 5-8. Weight: 173.
40 Time: 4.26.
Projected Round (2014): 3-5.
#162-Aaron Colvin, CB, Oklahoma
Height: 5-11. Weight: 177.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2014): 4-6.
#237-Brandon Thomas, OT/G, Clemson
Height: 6-3. Weight: 316.
40 Time: 5.09.
Projected Round (2014): 3-4.
Paulman’s Monday 5/5 at 515pm Mock Draft (No Trade Ups or Down)
Rd 1 – WR Brandin Cooks (Oregon St 5-10 190lbs for their Speed WR)
Rd 2 – TE Troy Nicklas (Notre Dame 6-7 270lbs for Red Zone Target/Blocking)
Rd 3 – CB Walt Aiken (Liberty 6-1 203lbs)
Rd 4 – DT Anthony Johnson (LSU 6-3 308lbs)
Rd 5 – OLB Michael Sam (Missouri 6-2 261lbs)
Rd 7 – WR Matt Hazel (Coastal Carolina 6-1 200lbs)
Undrafted Free-Agent Signings
ILB – Andrew Jackson – Western Kentucky (6-1 254lbs)
Safety – Isiah Lewis (Michigan State 5-11 211lbs)
C/Guard – Bryan Stork (Florida St 6-4 315lbs)
OT – Austin Wentworth (Fresno St 6-5 315lbs)
QB – Taj Boyd (Clemson 6-1 222lbs)
Kicker – Nate Freese (Boston College 5-11 192lbs)
CB -Lavelle Westbrooks (Geogia Souther 6-0 190lbs)
Want no parts of Michael Sam keep the side show In sf Paulman
Failed drug test at the Combine. How f**king stupid can you be?? Off the Birds radar. Sounds like a Patriot to me.
Mock draft and trade Alert
#22-C.J. Mosley, OLB, Alabama
Height: 6-2. Weight: 234.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2014): 1-2.
The eagles then sends #54,86,122 to the
Patriots for pick #29, the eagles then select
#29-Brandin Cooks*, WR, Oregon State
Height: 5-9. Weight: 189.
40 Time: 4.33.
Projected Round (2014): 1.
The eagles then trade Mathis,Polk and Brandon graham and maybe curry
For 3,4,5 rd picks
And take cb,dline olb with tthose picks
Paulman – you really need to move on with Nicklas – not going to happen! You can only play just so many TEs.
My mock draft remains:
1 – Kyle Fuller – Chip loves versatile players and that defines Fuller. He adds insurance should either our starters go down, and is a replacement in 2015 when both our CBs may be gone.
2. – WR – my hope is Cody Lattimer but who knows if he will be there
3 – Spencer Long – Guard – another key player to groom for our pending openings in 2015 (very high character and nasty)
4 – Christian Jones – been my pick here all year
5. – Taylor Hart – played for Chip at Oregon – big – defensive depth
With a draft choice we get from any trade (Graham) we could take a flyer on a Brandon Thomas or Aaron Colvin
You have to wonder where a guys head is going into a scouting combine and draft process knowing he will be tested for drugs and he comes up positive.
I wouldnt touch him with a ten foot pole. I could care less if you smoke weed….but when you know youre going to get tested and you can’t hold off for a couple months….your a dumbass. Not worth the investment.
I would take a flyer on Aaron Lynch from S.Fla /ND in the 7th…low risk / high reward
If Lynch is there in the 7th I’d definitely take a flyer on him. I think he will go between the 5-6 though.
New Trade Rumor …
1) Eagles Trade #22 Pick to Houston Texans for their # 33 & # 65 Picks
2) Eagles also Trade Brandon Graham and Eagles 5th Rd Pick (#162) to Falcons for their 4th Rd Pick (#103 Overall)
3) Eagles Trade RB Bryce Brown to Titans for their 6th Rd Pick (#186)
Eagles Now have the Following
Rd 2 (#33) DE/OLB DeMarcus Lawrence (Boise St 6-3 255lbs)
Rd 2 (#54) CB Phillip Gaines (Rice 6-0 193lbs)
Rd 3 (#65) DT Ego Ferguson (LSU 6-3 315lbs)
Rd 3 (#86) WR Paul Richardson (Colorado 6-0 175lbs)
Rd 4 (#103) WR Shaquille Evans (UCLA 6-1 215lbs)
Rd 4 (#122) RB Charles Sims (West Virgina 6-0 215lbs)
Rd 6 (#186) Safety Dontae Johnson (NC State 6-2 205lbs)
Rd 7 (#237) ILB Andrew Jackson (Western Kentucky 6-1 255lbs)
I can’t keep up with you Pman. Are you going to have a final mock before the draft. I think that at this point, you have had the Eagles taking almost every available player.
I am about “Mocked Out” to be honest Bugs…
Hell, I’ve been waking up in the middle of the night citing Players Stats, Schools, Postion Rankings, Strengths & Weaknesses,
Good Grief my Wife Tells me… Even my Pet Doggie is kind of looking at me funny… 🙂