Football: Travis Jones Goes First Round In Latest NFL Mock Draft
This week, the NFL Draft Bible came out with their latest 'Mock Draft Monday', which featured one of the brightest rising stars, UConn Huskies defensive lineman Travis Jones, who was selected 32nd overall to the Detroit Lions. In the article, NFL Draft Bible Founder Ric Serritella says: "When you start adding the equation of Hutchinson (who was selected second overall) and Jones together, the sum would appear to be a lucrative, dynamic duo that would keep opposing offensive coordinators up late at night."
One of the biggest winners from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana was, in fact, Jones, who came in with ideal measurements for an interior defensive lineman -- 6'4 3/8", 325-pounds, 10 1/4" hands, 82 3/4" wingspan -- and then paired that up with a phenomenal showing during on-field drills. He ran a 4.92 40-yard-dash time, 7.33 3-cone drill, and a 4.58 shuttle. He also had a 28.5" vertical, and a 9'2" broad jump. You can view the rest of the Combine results here.
The NFL Draft Bible also had Jones listed as a day three winner from the Combine. In the article, Author Rob Gregson says: "If not for the otherworldly showing by Jordan Davis, Jones would have stolen the show thanks to the freakish display of athleticism during his workout. Jones shined with impressive ankle mobility that flashed in the circle drill as well. This showing certainly helped an already rising draft stock."
Pairing a strong performance at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, with a tremendous showing at the Combine is sure to boost Jones' NFL Draft stock. He was already on the rise after the Senior Bowl but is now in legitimate conversation to be selected as a top-32 player in the NFL Draft. If Jones is, in fact, selected in the first round, that will put him as the highest-drafted UConn Huskies player since Obi Melifonwu, who was selected 56th overall by the Oakland Raiders.
NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein has said that Jones has drawn comparisons to Johnathan Hankins and had this to say about him: "Nose tackle with size and power that fuels his rumbling playing style. He was a standout on a bad defense and more than held his own against the toughest competition he faced. Jones has the demeanor, traits and overall ability to become a successful run-plugger and potential starter in a two-gapping scheme."
Next time we will see Jones' will likely be at his pro-day, which will be on Wednesday, March 23 at 8:00 am. Then it's onto the NFL Draft, where we will soon be watching him on Sundays.
