The Indianapolis Colts added more depth to the cornerback room near the end of the 2023 NFL draft when they selected Jaylon Jones out of Texas A&M in the seventh round.
A true junior coming out of College Station, Jones fell a bit during the draft. Most analysts had him projected as an early-to-mid Day 3 pick, and he wound up falling to the seventh round.
Here are four things to know about the 21-year-old cornerback:
1
Five-star recruit
Jones was the No. 1 safety recruit in the 2020 class and the No. 2 recruit out of Texas behind running back Zach Evans, who was drafted in the sixth round to the Los Angeles Rams. Jones also was the No. 21 overall recruit for the 2020 class. Despite double-digit offers from FBS schools, Jones decided to go to Texas A&M.
2
Comes from military family
Jones moved around throughout his early childhood both of his parents are Navy veterans. Among the places he lived in during his childhood included Miami and Japan before arriving to Texas. That military discipline has stayed with him throughout his life.
“Very disciplined in every aspect of my life. I believe you should have a plan, a routine, and that’s what causes you success, things like that. Just as a person, a different perspective on life. I lived in Japan. I love all people. I’ve got a big heart. I’m just ready to get around the family in Indianapolis – all my brothers and the staff and get this thing rolling man,” Jones said after being drafted.
3
Models his game after...
Jones understands his size at the cornerback position means he can model his game after some of the best players in the NFL right now. When asked who he models game after, Jones had some pretty good role models.
“Me being a bigger corner, I look at guys like Jalen Ramsey, Marlon Humphrey. Guys like that, I watch how aggressive they are at the line, messing up routes from the get-go. All the assets in my game, I just feel like I’m a long, rangy corner, very physical, get to the ball. I’m very intelligent – just slowing the game down for myself and seeing what it looks like, seeing what it’s for and just attacking and bringing 110 percent every day. That’s the type of player you’re getting in Indianapolis.”
4
Another strong athlete
While Jones isn’t the most athletic player in the 12-player class for the Colts, he’s still a great-to-elite athlete by the standards of Relative Athletic Score (RAS). At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Jones posted a 38-inch vertical jump.
5
Fighting for a spot
Even though Jones was drafted, seventh-round picks are hardly guaranteed to make the roster. He has a better shot than most considering his size, ball skills and upside. But Jones will nevertheless be fighting for one of the final spots in a cornerback room that desperately needs to see some players step up.
