Patriots select versatile Jones in 3rd round of NFL draft
The New England Patriots selected Houston cornerback Marcus Jones in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, No. 85 overall.
Jones won the Paul Hornung Award in 2021, given to the most versatile player in college football, making him a classic Patriots draft pick. He projects to work mostly in the slot because of his lack of size, and he can also contribute in the return game on special teams.
Jones finished his senior season at Houston with 47 tackles and five interceptions on defense. He also had two kickoff return touchdowns and two punt return touchdowns.
Scouting profile: Marcus Jones
| School | Height | Weight | 40 time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 5'8 | 185 | DNP |
Size is really the only question mark in Jones' game as he transitions to the next level. He's an impressive athlete with the movement skills to mirror receivers in man coverage, the instincts to thrive in zone, and his five interceptions last season tell you everything you need to know about his ball skills. Add in his impact on special teams (four kick/punt return TDs in 2021), and there's just so much to like about what he brings to the table. It's tough to imagine him sticking on the boundary in the NFL, as he's simply outmatched against big-bodied receivers who play above the rim, but he can find a home lined up across from shiftier wideouts in the slot. And with the persistence he brings as a downhill run defender, he'll fit in nicely. The size is a factor for Jones, for sure, but teams who overlook him for that reason may come to regret it.