Marcus Jones CB Houston | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Marcus Jones CB Houston
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside Zone CB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/17/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.38 seconds (88%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 26.1 DOB: 10/22/1998 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| NFL Combine & Pro-Day Results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ROLE: Outside Zone CB | |
| Last Updated: 02/17/2022 | |
| Draft Year: 2022 | |
| 40 time: 4.38 seconds (88%*) | |
| Age: 26.1 DOB: 10/22/1998 | |
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| NFL Combine & Pro-Day Results |
| Overall Rating: | 82.9 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 60.9 | |
| Tackling: |
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72% |
| Run Defense: |
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82% |
| Coverage: |
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85% |
| Zone: |
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86% |
| Man/Press: |
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74% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#100
Position rank:
#16
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| College Games: 28 College Snaps: 1429 | ||
ESPN RATING: 74/100
College Combine Results
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OVR Rank:
#533
Pos Rank:
#98
State Rank:
#47
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 76/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
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Drafted: ROUND: 3 - Pick Number: 85 (NE)
Draft Profile: Bio
Marcus Jones was awarded a three-star grade from ESPN after finishing high school with 27 tackles and five interceptions and scoring four touchdowns on returns as a senior. He was also named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association 7A All-State First Team. He accepted a scholarship to Troy and played two years with them before transferring to Houston.Jones made an impact at Troy as returned 3 kicks for touchdowns in his freshman season, and also chalked up 2 interceptions and 6 deflections on defense. He received the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors as a result. In 2018, he added to his TD return total and also intercepted a pass on defense.
Jones transferred to Houston and had to sit out the following 2019 season. He became a star however in 2020 as he led the FBS in punt return average (19.8) on 17 returns for 337 yards and one touchdown, he also led the FBS in punt return yards (337). While playing corner he logged 33 tackles and a quality 63.1 QB rating when targetted. He received first-team All-America honors from the FWAA, Phil Steele Magazine, and CBS/247Sports as a punt returner at season's end.
In his final college season in 2021, Jones put up his best season as a corner - he recorded 40 tackles, 5 interceptions, four more return TDs, and recorded a QB rating when targetted of 60.4. Unsurprisingly he was handed first-team all-conference honors as a return specialist and second-team honors as a corner.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Jones is a super quick-twitch athlete with elite speed which gives him the ability to confidently track even the fastest of receivers on deep routes
- Despite being small for the position 5-8 and 185lbs has the versatility to play a number of positions - he's had experience in the slot, outside, and even in the box
- Good instincts and anticipation reads and reacts with discipline. Dangerous with the ball in his hands - can go the distance at any time.
- Rare hand-eye coordination and agility, vision, and third gear to be a star in the return game
- Dynamic short-area quickness who can break in an instant and jump the route in the flat
- Has great hip swivel and is natural in coverage
- Anticipation skills and explosive, downhill burst could make him a star in a zone-based scheme
- Changes directions with ease and has the frame to hold up at any spot in the secondary
- Takes very good angles in run support and is surprising as a box defender in the red zone
- Offers some versatility as an offensive weapon - in the Cordelle Patterson mold and has had success in college as a dynamic do-it-all weapon
- Physical run supporter in the Antoine Winfield mold with short-area explosiveness to leave his mark on ballcarriers
- Is an elite punt and kick returner - probably the best in the entire draft class and could be drafted just as a return specialist
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks obvious length (5-8) and so will project as a slot only corner at the next level - will struggle against the X receivers
- Tends to be overly grabby in coverage - could be a problem in the NFL where unlike in college where PI is a spot foul
- Size limits his ability to jam the receiver at the line of scrimmage
- Lacks the strength to go up against bigger receivers and can be physically dominated in jump ball situations
- Suspect technician who too often lets the action come to him and energy and effort are too inconsistent.
- Has had issues finding the ball downfield and will keep his back to the ball and play through the receiver
- Older than others in the class - will be 24 at the start of season
- NFL quarterbacks may take advantage of his aggressiveness in man and zone to eye up short routes and go over the top
Scouting Report: Summary
Marcus Jones is one of the most versatile players in the draft - he offers elite skills as a punt and a kick returner, as a speed player on offense, and as a speedy lockdown slot corner on defense. His skills as a returner are obvious - however, his ability on the defensive side of the ball is significant and Jones could quite easily develop into an outstanding slot/nickel corner in the pros. He however does come with limitations - most notably his small stature which will limit his play to a slot-only role.We currently have a third-round grade on Jones as a cornerback but could see him selected higher in the 2022 NFL Draft if a team were to take into account his impact as a returner.
Marcus Jones percentiles vs other Cornerbacks (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Marcus Jones (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
82.6
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
15.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.