NFL Draft Profile: Charlie Jones, Wide Receiver, Purdue Boilermakers
In this story:
Charlie Jones
Purdue Boilermakers
#16
Pos: WR
Ht: 5112
Wt: 175
Hand: 0900
Arm: 3158
Wing: 7400
40: 4.43
DOB: 10/29/1998
Hometown: Deerfield, IL
High School: Deerfield
Eligibility: 2023
One-Liner:
A middle-of-the-field savant who displays route versatility, separation skills, and instincts.
Evaluation:
Adequate height, well-built lower half, and overall frame. Has played as an X, Z, and F receiver. Multiple release patterns, fluid in his movement off the line into his stem. He shifts weight easily, dropping his hips on return routes. Hands catcher that displays natural pass-catching tendencies. Lives in the middle of the field, tons of wrap-ins, drive, and over routes. Can go up and get the ball in the face of traffic. Competitive stamina and overall toughness shine. Works through handsy corners and big hits alike. An intelligent player that can sight adjust vs. leverage or DB alignment. Fantastic spatial awareness and body control. He consistently knows where he’s at on the field. He can stretch the field but probably more infrequent when in the NFL. Questionable straight-line speed. He may struggle to separate against tight man coverage. Corners that can mirror his agility and quickness present issues. Doesn’t present much of a threat after the catch despite his movement skills. Jones is a well-rounded receiver who can maneuver the inner workings of the field with fluid routes, strong hands, and instincts. He won’t be a consistent deep threat at the next level, but he’s shown capable of separating 1v1 and presents an overall solid skill set.
Grade:
3rd Round
Background:
Originally from Deerfield, Illinois. He attended Deerfield High School and was rated as a two-star prospect by 247Sports. Began his college career at the University of Buffalo. Decided to redshirt his first season. As a redshirt freshman played in fourteen games and had 395 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns. Decided to transfer to Iowa prior to the 2019 season. Sat out the 2019 season because of transfer rules. During the following season, he mainly served as a punt returner, which he excelled at. Really improved going into senior season. He finished with 323 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns. He also was an absolutely dominant kickoff and punt returner during this season. Named the Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year. Decided to use final year of eligibility and transferred to Purdue prior to the 2022 season. Had an absolutely outstanding final year, totaling 1361 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns. Led team in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
