Undrafted FAs

[Lurker64]

Although not under contract, James Jones is basically in the UFA range that just happened to be picked in the 3rd round.

Just because some guy on the internet says some guy was going to be an undrafted FA, doesn't mean that the next few teams weren't interested in drafting the guy. Jones came off the board around the same time as a bunch of other WRs who were comparable in terms of skills and numbers, and honestly I think he'll produce better than Paul Williams who was taken shortly afterwards.

I mean, least year we were all screaming bloody murder since Tony Moll looked like an undrafted FA from the position of Mel Kiper, and internet draft sites. But where he was taken turned out to be more than appropriate based on production last year. Keep in mind that Thompson's scouts spend a lot more time looking at the players they draft than the Mel Kipers and Scott Wrights of the world spend looking at the guys the Packers pick.

I'm warming to Jones, the fact that he plays very physically and "has good ups" as they say would lead me to believe that he has the prospect to a decent red zone threat down the line.

[Partial]

Although not under contract, James Jones is basically in the UFA range that just happened to be picked in the 3rd round.

Just because some guy on the internet says some guy was going to be an undrafted FA, doesn't mean that the next few teams weren't interested in drafting the guy. Jones came off the board around the same time as a bunch of other WRs who were comparable in terms of skills and numbers, and honestly I think he'll produce better than Paul Williams who was taken shortly afterwards.

I mean, least year we were all screaming bloody murder since Tony Moll looked like an undrafted FA from the position of Mel Kiper, and internet draft sites. But where he was taken turned out to be more than appropriate based on production last year. Keep in mind that Thompson's scouts spend a lot more time looking at the players they draft than the Mel Kipers and Scott Wrights of the world spend looking at the guys the Packers pick.

I'm warming to Jones, the fact that he plays very physically and "has good ups" as they say would lead me to believe that he has the prospect to a decent red zone threat down the line.

See, but the way I see it, the difference between a third receiver putting up 500 yards versus 450 yards is neglible. They should have gone with Paul Williams because he is bigger, faster and can play the jump ball much better. You cannot always draft BPA. You need to address need as well. There has to be a comparison system in place.

[BallHawk]

Paul Williams is half an inch bigger than Jones. Don't think we're gonna miss out on any Super Bowls because of that calculation error.

[Lurker64]

See, but the way I see it, the difference between a third receiver putting up 500 yards versus 450 yards is neglible. They should have gone with Paul Williams because he is bigger, faster and can play the jump ball much better. You cannot always draft BPA. You need to address need as well. There has to be a comparison system in place.

Paul Williams never produced up to his ability, and there's questions as to whether his heart and head were in the right place in order to really take it to the next level. Williams has better measurables, but that's not all scouts look like. Williams has "classic underachiever" written all over him. Jones has "gamer who steps up when things get tough" written all over him. Williams has better measurables, but the two are close enough in that regard that I'm happier with the guy with heart.

For whatever reason, Thompson's scouts had Jones rated above Williams. I don't know why that is, but the fact that they are professional evaluators of football talent (and you and I are not) leads me to believe that they had a reason for doing so.

Everybody who gets drafted generally has the physical tools to make it in the NFL. What separates the ones who make it from the ones who don't is by and large their heart and their head.

[Partial]

Paul Williams is half an inch bigger than Jones. Don't think we're gonna miss out on any Super Bowls because of that calculation error.

Life is a game of inches my friend. I don't care about the height, I care about the ability to play the ball in the air. That was the thing that stood out to me with Paul Williams. He has good body control in the air.

Jarrett has the 2nd best body control in the draft behind Johnson, though. He should be a packer.

[esoxx]

Although not under contract, James Jones is basically in the UFA range that just happened to be picked in the 3rd round.

Just because some guy on the internet says some guy was going to be an undrafted FA

You assume to much so spare me your sermon.

[Lurker64]

You assume to much so spare me your sermon.

Let me know how many San Jose State games you watched last year, would you?

[esoxx]

You're missing the point but not surprising.

[Lurker64]

You're missing the point but not surprising.

Well, if you haven't seen the guy play and you're not relying on the opinion of various draft "experts", why exactly are you convinced that he's in the UFA range?

[Patler]

Paul Williams is half an inch bigger than Jones. Don't think we're gonna miss out on any Super Bowls because of that calculation error.

Life is a game of inches my friend. I don't care about the height, I care about the ability to play the ball in the air. That was the thing that stood out to me with Paul Williams. He has good body control in the air.

Jarrett has the 2nd best body control in the draft behind Johnson, though. He should be a packer.

Well... the nfl.com evaluation of Jones had this:

Fights for the ball in traffic, generally coming up with it due to his determined attitude and leaping ability … Has the body control and timing on his leaps to compete for the ball at its high point …

[esoxx]

I don't recall saying I didn't see him play. Again you assume too much. Move on.

We'll see how he turns out. Of course no one knows. But he sure as hell better produce more like a third than a late round/UFA guy, that's for damn sure.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Actually, most publications had Jones as a 4th or 5th round grade. Then again, many of the same publications had Clowney as a 3rd round grade. So, we got the 5th round grade guy in round 3 and the 3rd round grade guy in round 5.

[Partial]

Paul Williams is half an inch bigger than Jones. Don't think we're gonna miss out on any Super Bowls because of that calculation error.

Life is a game of inches my friend. I don't care about the height, I care about the ability to play the ball in the air. That was the thing that stood out to me with Paul Williams. He has good body control in the air.

Jarrett has the 2nd best body control in the draft behind Johnson, though. He should be a packer.

Well... the nfl.com evaluation of Jones had this:

Fights for the ball in traffic, generally coming up with it due to his determined attitude and leaping ability … Has the body control and timing on his leaps to compete for the ball at its high point …

Well, hopefully he can become a big play wideout then. They need someone to score those tough touchdowns. This team was very, very good between the 20's last year(makes me think of the NFL network commercial about LT is pretty good.. between the 20s ). They could not capitalize to save their lives, though.

[BallHawk]

Actually, most publications had Jones as a 4th or 5th round grade. Then again, many of the same publications had Clowney as a 3rd round grade. So, we got the 5th round grade guy in round 3 and the 3rd round grade guy in round 5.

And we got a 3rd round kicker in round 6!

Super Bowl here we come!

[Lurker64]

Actually, most publications had Jones as a 4th or 5th round grade. Then again, many of the same publications had Clowney as a 3rd round grade. So, we got the 5th round grade guy in round 3 and the 3rd round grade guy in round 5.

The sense I was getting also was that Jones was moving up a lot of boards as the draft approached (for whatever reason guys move up boards.) So if you have a 4th or 5th round guy with upward momentum, seeing him in the middle of the third isn't at all weird.