Player Summary: TJ Jones, the Wide Receiver now entering his 4th year with the Detroit Lions, was selected in 6th round out of Notre Dame back in 2014. After starting his first year on the PUP list and being on the practice squad for much of his second season, T.J finally had the opportunity to be on the field for the majority of his third year. In 2017, He recorded 30 REC on 49 TGTS for 399 YDS and one touchdown.
Jones possesses adequate height and weight with decent speed and agility, little explosiveness but good acceleration. Jones accelerates off the LOS well in addition to possessing the play strength to win against press coverage while maintaining his route stem and desired distance from the sideline. Against man, he typically uses his body to box out defenders or hands to push off and separate at the top of his route. Against zone specifically as an outside receiver, he combines his good mental processing and route running to separate. Jones likes to use his footwork and body fakes to get the deep third defender to flip his hips, which he then uses to get into the defender's blind spot and then break off his route. When positioned inside, Jones will find the hole in the defense and settle down his route. Jones' greatest strength, however, might be his ability to make catches over the middle with a defender preparing to make contact with him. Whether it be a go route from a wide position against cover 2, seam against cover 3, or post against 2 man under, Jones will make the catch regardless of a head hunting safety. With respect to the running game, Jones displays competitive toughness and will demonstrate effort when tasked with blocking a defender.
Jones is limited, however, by his lack of top-end speed, agility, jump ball ability, and burst in and out of cuts. Defenders routinely sit on many of his routes because they don't fear being beaten deep by him. After the catch, his speed limits his break away potential and his agility makes it less probable since he likely won't make the first defender miss. Jones also has poor ability to go up and high point a ball and is not a threat to run a fade route near the goal line. His route running is successful because of his release, strength, and the way he manipulates a defender but he lacks the short area burst and quickness out of cuts to maintain separation after breaking off his route.
Overall, TJ Jones is a role player best suited for a spread system where he is targeted in the intermediate range. He is most valuable when tasked with making catches over the middle knowing a safety will be coming downhill. He takes advantage of his release and play strength at the top of his stem to beat defenders but will not be a deep threat and will not be someone who can take a short pass underneath and break it for a big gain.
Combine Information:
Height: 5116
Weight: 188
40yard: 4.48
10yard: 1.54
Arm: N/A
Hand: N/A
Vertical: 33.0
3cone: 6.82
ProSchuttle: 4.72
Broad Jump: 117
Bench Press: N/A
Games Scouted:
DET @MIN 10/01/17
DET vs. CAR 10/08/17
DET @NO 10/15/17
DET vs. PIT 10/29/17
DET @GB 11/06/17
