Josh Jones, 7th rated safe according to pSparq (measure of athletic ability), 1 standard deviation above average.


PLAYER OVERVIEW: Josh Jones

A three-year starter at NC State, Jones started at strong safety his first two seasons for the Wolfpack before moving to free safety in 2016, spending most of his time in the boundary and seeing his productive skyrocket. He also saw snaps at cornerback and linebacker and lined up all over the formation as NC State's version of Jalen Ramsey. While he isn't the physical marvel that made Ramsey a top-five pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Jones is a big, rangy athlete with the play strength, versatility and developing football intelligence that translate well to the NFL game.
After redshirting in 2013, he became a starter at strong safety as a freshman in 2014 (eight starts) and finished second in the ACC with four interceptions. Jones started 11 games as a sophomore in 2015 and posted 64 tackles, three passes defended and one interception. He started all 13 games at free safety as a junior in 2016 and led the team with 109 tackles, 11 passes defended and three interceptions, but was overlooked for the postseason All-ACC team.

STRENGTHS: Looks the part with his height, length and build. Explodes out of a cannon on his tackling angles, accelerating in a flash. Speedy in pursuit to track down ballcarriers from behind. Aggressive hug-and-finish tackler in the open field. Creates stopping power with his downhill demeanor. Physical take-on skills to attack and tear through blocks. Evades blocks with bobs and weaves, finding the ballcarrier in the lane. Quick diagnose skills to sense what is about to happen, keeping his eyes on the prize. Steady at the catch point to find the ball and finish interceptions. Versatile experience across the secondary, including inside cornerback and both safety spots (32 career starts). Improved focus, work habits and maturity in 2016, showing better accountability.

WEAKNESSES: Upright in his movements, lacking sink to smoothly redirect his momentum. Late to flip and attach to receivers in coverage, losing momentum to wasted steps. Bites on the backfield action. Anticipates well, but he is still learning how to recognize various limbs on the route tree. Struggles with double moves and combos. Needs to tweak his tackling technique to consistently wrap and finish. Pad level can be problematic at times. Wild hands when taking on contact, allowing blockers to attack his chest and drive him backwards.

--Dane Brugler (2/5/17)