University of Washington Sidney Jones Best Cornerback In 2017 NFL Class

University of Washington Cornerback Sidney Jones ruled the PAC-12. He did so by playing larger than measured

University of Washington cornerback Sidney Jones played hard, worked hard, studied hard, and became a hard cornerback to ignore. You see, he practiced against speedster wide receiver John Ross III. You know, that guy who just set an NFL Combine speed record for the 40 yard dash?

The NFL Combine is literally the first true introduction of may athletes hoping for NFL careers to the true consumer of NFL Football: the fans.  As such, the combine takes on a larger-than-life impact in assessing true talent.

To simplify the complicated and tedious tasks of NFL scouts in such a way that the fans can participate, the Combine breaks an athlete down into a quantifiable series of measurements and from that, ranking the prospects.

To market the event and build interest, the NFL has stretched the event out.  The NFL combine now processes four separate groups through four separate days of testing and processing.

By Sunday afternoon, March 5th, the Combine will be Day 3 to defensive backs (Media, bench press, group workouts, interviews) and Day 4 to linebackers and defensive linemen (measured performance at events).  On March 6th, defensive backs will be timed and measured.

NFL Cornerback templates

NFL cornerbacks are patterned in certain ways, just as any position.  In fact, an EXCELLENT breakdown of cornerback parameters is given at the NFL.com by none other than Gil Brandt. In his article, Brandt explains the various key indicators of various positions.
But it really made me sit up and focus when he elaborated on successful NFL cornerbacks:

"“Let’s focus on cornerbacks….There are three drills that have been significant indicators for cornerbacks: the 40-yard dash, the three-cone drill and the broad jump…Straight-line speed is the No. 1 attribute for success when it comes to corners. There are other key drills for corners (more on this below), but none is tied to a higher percentage of success than the 40. Based on history, you want your corners to post a time of 4.5 or under.” – Gil Brandt from NFL.com"

And so, the position of cornerback is not arm length or height. Right now, Sidney Jones measures in at 6-foot-0 and 186 pounds. But there is the expectation of some NFL teams for a 32 inch or better arm length.

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Since Sindney Jones is part of the defensive backs group, his measured events will fall on the last day of the NFL Combine, Monday March 6th. The key factors will be his runs. To be a true cover corner, he will need to be fast enough to play man coverage on some of the fastest receivers in the NFL.

More Than Meets The Eye

Sidney Jones is a cornerback with true “lockdown” potential. Some focus on wingspan and arm length. But to the eye of savvy football scouts, that wingspan is not the story.  Film is.

We’ve already known Mike Mayock has ranked Sidney Jones as the best cornerback in the class this year. But why?

Check out some of the description at his NFL.com scouting report for the answers:

"“Strengths Competes all over the field. Doesn’t play pitty-pat with his jam from press. Throws stiff lead right into the shoulder of receivers like a boxer. Maximizes contact with receivers within first five yards. Eyes are top notch. Balances between quarterback’s eyes and his man from all off coverages. Ready to close on throws anywhere near his area. Route magnet. Pattern anticipation allows him to map receivers path and undercut route. Prioritizes ball over man and attacks catch point with slaps and rips. Has nine career interceptions and got a hand on 21.3 percent of balls thrown his way over last two seasons”- NFL.com Analysis"

I watch Sidney Jones IV play. He never took a play off. He was always 100 percent in the moment, in the game, in the play, and near the ball. But I’m just testifying. You need proof. So let’s check out some highlights.

Roll the Film

Seeing is believing. He is 100 percent in the game all the time. As a result, he makes plays that few can. He defends more than one player. Opposing quarterbacks feared him.

He’s a hard hitting heady cornerback.  Check out the video just at the 1:02 mark where he picks the receivers back pocket.  He hits, he intercepts, he forces fumbles, and he defends passes. He has a great “sniffer” for the ball, frequently coming off his assignment towards a ball in the air, coming up with a pick or a highlight for the evening news.

The only “drawback” for Jones is a body that needs to add a little muscle to endure the physicality of the NFL.  Since he is entering the NFL as a junior, that should come naturally.

I’m not a believer of a rookie NFL cornerback coming into the league as a “shutdown corner”. The game at the NFL level is faster, more physical, and each rookie must learn the scheme, their teammates, their role, their limits, and their opponents. But Sidney Jones IV will not back down. He will give all he has until he becomes the best that he can be.

Next: Nike Signs Combine Speedster John Ross III To Contract

Take it from NFL scouts. If he does that, he becomes a shutdown lockdown corner.  Since he has faced John Ross III in practice already, it’s almost a sure thing.