08 Aug Preseason Scouting Notes: Patrick Jones II, EDGE, Pittsburgh
Redshirt Senior| 6’6” 255 lbs | Chesapeake, VA | September 29, 1998
A long-armed 4-3 edge with a lean frame who is fleet of foot and has a developed set of pass rush moves
Overview:
Patrick Jones II is a former 3-star recruit who has gained 25 pounds at Pitt while ascending up the depth chart from scout team member to backup, to starter. He immediately became an impact starter as a defensive end in the Panthers’ 4-3 scheme, and was one of the most consistent pass rushers in the nation by pressure rate. Jones is tall for the position with broad shoulders, lengthy arms, and a lean build that appears to be capable of adding 10-15 more pounds of muscle.
Strengths:
– Very good range and lateral quickness. Gets down the LOS swiftly and is a major pest in backside pursuit
– Has a nice bag of developed pass rush moves. Attacks with a strong inside long arm, dip and rip, and inside swim move effectively
– Quick first step and smooth get off allow him to beat tackles who have merely average speed to landmarks
– Shows above average hand accuracy. Keeps his hands simultaneously active and under control
– Shows the ability to convert speed to power well, using good leverage on his speed bull to lift and drive
– Perceptive processor as a run defender and very disciplined on the edge against read option plays
– High-level ability to shed blocks with a push/pull technique
– Ideal H/W/S and length combination with a frame that appears ready for additional muscle
– High motor player whose tempo rarely drops
Areas to improve:
– Inconsistent with his arm extension. Needs to utilize his length to his advantage more often
– Improving his upper body flexibility would go a long way toward improving his bend around the edge. His bend is merely sufficient at this stage
– His initial punch typically lacks pop. Rarely stuns defenders or knocks them back with explosive power unless he has a full head of steam
– Could stand to add some bulk to a relatively slender frame. Would make him more stout setting the edge and improve his ability to squeeze gaps
Injury concerns:
N/A
Projection:
Jones is one of the most pro-ready edge rushers in the class due to his developed pass rush arsenal and mental acuity. Teams in need of a starting 4-3 defensive end could circle him as a plug-and-play option on Day 2, though Jones might be better off as a third banana in a defensive end rotation as a rookie while he fills out his frame. He has the tools to be a productive three-down NFL starter on the edge by his second season.
What to watch in 2020:
Jones and Jaylen Twyman will headline one of the best defensive lines in the entire NCAA. And while Twyman paced the team in sacks last year, Jones had significantly more QB pressures, a stat that has more significant carryover from year to year. While Twyman is considered to be more of a surefire first-rounder at this point, he and Jones’ draft slots could potentially swap places by the end of the season. Jones’ weight should be worth monitoring as well, as he’ll look to find an ideal balance of heft without sacrificing his quickness.
- XTB’s Director of Scouting
- Bay Area-born sports lover who has worked in the football industry as a journalist, coach, film analyst, and scout.
- Currently a graduate student attending the UMass Sport Management program, and received his BA in journalism at Hofstra University.