Despite Achilles Tendon Surgery Sidney Jones “Best Corner In Draft”

While the Achilles Tendon Surgery to Washington Huskies CB Sidney Jones may lead teams to downgrade his chances, don’t tell Sidney Jones that

University of Washington Huskies cornerback Sidney Jones entered the NFL Combine as one of the top-rated cornerbacks of the nation. He remained at the top of many NFL team and pundit draft boards until he fell to injury at the University of Washington Huskies Pro Day.

He ruptured his Achilles Tendon. Understandably, surgery was required. That surgery happened over a week ago, and was very successful. As a result, Sidney Jones IV is in rehab, heading into the 2017 NFL Draft. He was lauded as a round one cornerback. That has likely changed.

He is falling on draft boards. There is no way to know how far until the NFL Draft is history. But it’s safe to project his selection will no longer be on day one of the 2017 NFL Draft.

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It’s not the end of the world by any means.  He will be an NFL player in 2017.  Sidney Jones IV will be paid. In fact, he will find his path.  No doors are shut to him.  But he will likely not be that first cornerback selected. In fact, he may not be among the top five to enter the NFL.

Silver Lining

Now, don’t fret. There is a happy chapter to this story. and it begins here.

Sidney Jones IV is still very confident. And why not? There actually is a positive outcome to falling in the NFL draft.  Simply stated, better teams pick later in the draft.

Stripe Hype

With a rehabbing Achilles, Sidney Jones has already been scratched from the “immediate impact starter” category.   That means he will strengthen and play behind a starter.  He will be able to watch the gamed unfold, rather than scramble to absorb everything on day one.

Best NFL Teams Mentor

There is much to be said by playing behind a veteran in the first months as a rookie. He can ask the vet “what did you see on that play?” and virtually all veterans will respond.  Mentoring is a fading art in the NFL.

The best NFL teams promote mentoring a great deal.  Teams like the Seattle Seahawks expect veterans to help in the coaching process of all rookies.

And, as players, it’s the right thing to do. As the team improves, each player on that team are viewed in a better light. That helps veterans land better contracts.  It helps rookies absorb playing minutes on rotations. Everyone wins.

Bench Time Is Learning Time

There was a day not so long ago when rookies seldom started NFL games in their first year. It was nothing against them, it just wasn’t the way it was done in those days.  But poorly performing teams began to feel the pressure of “win now”. And so, teams began to throw their top picks to the wolves, essentially forcing a “sink or swim” outcome.

Who Dat Dish

Quarterbacks.  Cornerbacks. Edge Rushers.

Do or do not. There was no more room in the NFL for watch and learn.

But as teams began to cycle rookies into the starting lineups, there became a secondary market as well.  Overhyped “Bust” players making a career comeback with new teams. And so now, NFL teams feel pressure to make it happen instantly.  But they also feel pressure to work patiently.

Patience Back In Style

So quality players who are dinged up are given a better look. The talent is their.  Sports medicine has removed much of the dangers of reinjury.  So the most prevalent remaining factor facing Sidney Jones, and other injured hopefuls, heading into the NFL Draft is when will he be ready.

Each day on the bench is another day increasing his experience.  Each day a rookie spends in the NFL, the novelty wears off.  The fans become background noise in the stands. the game slows down. Easing into the lineup is just a better way to start off an NFL career.

Is Jones The Best Cornerback?

I cover the University of Washington Huskies, so I certain still place him in the discussion. Still, the measurement of “best cornerback” is not a moment in time, but who projects to have the best NFL career.

There are plenty of factors, today and tomorrow, which impact a players career.

Right now, Sidney Jones IV is a very confident young man.  He should be. Despite injury, he made it past the surgery with flying colors.  As Achilles Tendons go, his surgery happened high, and the surgeon expects a speedy and full recovery.

Best Cornerback? Right Perspective

And he has the right perspective on the matter as well, as told to NFL.com’s Chase Goodbread:

"“Don’t look at the possibility of me not playing this first year. Me being injured for this short amount of time? it’s not going to compare to the rest of the contract, because any player can get hurt throughout their contract. This just happened to happen right now, and I can play basically right when the season starts,” Jones said."

Over the course of his NFL career, this may turn out just as he suggests. The injury may actually persuade lesser teams to pass him over, and keep him on the draft board for the better teams. He could spend his first months of the NFL on the bench, learning and absorbing. But that is time well spent.

Sidney Jones Holds Key

The key to Sidney Jones IV is the attitude now. He has to trust his surgery, trust his body will hold up when he gets back onto the field. He has to play on instincts.

Next: University of Washington Huskies Football Spring Roster Set

Boastful pride? More like healthy perspective. If I’m an NFL GM, I pencil his name back onto my list. Sidney Jones IV may not be selected first in the 2017 NFL Draft. But he could very likely prove to be the best cornerback selected this year.  If he is there, some NFL GM will gamble that he is.