Packers Select S/CB Josh Jones in 2017 NFL Draft, Round Two

The Green Bay Packers addressed the secondary again, drafting Josh Jones, a versatile defensive back from North Carolina State in the second round (61st overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft

The Packers select Josh Jones in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft

The Packers select Josh Jones in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft

The Green Bay Packers addressed the secondary, drafting Josh Jones, a defensive back from North Carolina State in the second round (61st overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. 

Measurables/Combine:

4.41 40-yard dash; 20 reps bench; 37.5 vertical jump; 

Career Notes: 

Jones, who is a junior entry into the draft, was a three-year starter for North Carolina State. In his freshman season, he finished with 56 tackles, four interceptions, two tackles for loss, two sacks and seven passes defensed. Jones had another solid season as a junior, racking up 62 tackles, one interception, two TFL and one sack. This past season, he took another big jump in production, registering 100 tackles, notching three interceptons, eight passes defensed, one sack, 4 TFL, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. 

NFL.com Draft Profile: 

Scouting Report:

NFL.com: Jones is a height-weight-speed prospect to be sure, but he's not just a traits-based safety. Jones has the appetite for hitting that teams will want around the box and he has the speed and ball skills to range and help against vertical threats from a deep safety spot. The big area of concern will be Jones' ability to play with better discipline in coverage and as a tackler. He has the ability to become a good, long-time starter in the league.

Pro Football Focus:  Jones is a frustrating player to evaluate because he’ll show flashes of the athleticism he put on display, only to make a number of mental errors that result in big plays for the offense. When focused in man coverage, his speed and physicality allows him to run with most receivers in space, and he does an excellent job of locating balls and outplaying his man in the air for the break-up. However, in zone situations he appears to freelance at times, a problem that generally appears to worsen the closer he is to the line of scrimmage. He’ll need to shore up his mental errors and become a more consistent tackler in order to see the field on defense, so at this stage he’s primary role is likely to be special teams.

Commentary: 

Jones is an interesting pick, because the Packers don't necessarily need a safety, but that's the thing, Jones isn't just a safety. He has great size and corner speed. He's also a physical tackler. 

Right away, I thought he sounded like a Micah Hyde replacement. He can play that nickel position and cover. He can blitz off the edge and has been effective at making tackles behind the line of scrimmage. 

The move could also allow the Packers to play Morgan Burnett more as a linebacker in sub formations. He has had success in that role but was needed as a safety. This could open up more snaps in that role for him. 

At the end of the day, the Packers needed a lot of help in the secondary. Not only did they struggle a year ago, but they also lost their most productive corner to free agency in Hyde. Kevin King will help on the outside, Jones will help in the spots Hyde used to play. He will also be a four-down player for the Packers right away. 

If I was giving it a grade, I would give Ted Thompson and the Packers high marks. 

Video: 

__________________________

Chris is a sports journalist from Montana and has been blogging about the Packers since 2011. Chris has been a staff writer for CheeseheadTV since 2017 and looks forward to the day when Aaron Rodgers wins his second Super Bowl. Follow him @thepackersguru

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Comments (31)

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

April 28, 2017 at 09:06 pm

I guess they re-watched the NFC championship game a few times.

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zoellner25's picture

April 28, 2017 at 09:08 pm

This kid looks like a beast

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dobber's picture

April 28, 2017 at 09:16 pm

I love this guy. Fast, big, strong. He plays like his hair is on fire and brings a ferocity this defense hasn't had for a long time.

That said, they've gotta find a pass rusher or two, yet, and they've had opportunities.

Clearly, they came into this draft with a plan. It's a pretty interesting one, so far. I hope it works.

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Lphill's picture

April 28, 2017 at 09:19 pm

Wasted pick , already have Brice to fill that role, I would much rather have liked to take the best pass rusher available instead.

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John Galt III's picture

April 28, 2017 at 09:24 pm

The teams always say best player available, but no one believes that. You need a QB, you draft one. You need players in the secondary, and the Packers really
have a need there, you draft two, Later they just might take another one and no one will be surprised.

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Rossonero's picture

April 28, 2017 at 09:49 pm

Packers taking Josh Jones tells me they are preparing for life after Morgan Burnett, who'll be entering a contract year in 2018.

Either that or they'll convert Burnett to a hybrid ILB and move Josh Jones to safety, or maybe convert Jones to a hybrid ILB and leave Burnett at safety. I heard the Patriots liked Jones a lot.

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Finwiz's picture

April 28, 2017 at 10:00 pm

Me thinks deep down they weren't that impressed with Burnett's play, and I wasn't either. He's vastly overrated. I'll never forget his stupid, stupid lay down in the middle of the field against Seattle in the NFC Championship game. What a genius play that was with a wide open field in front of him.

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Rossonero's picture

April 28, 2017 at 10:10 pm

Although I hated that play too, Julius Peppers was telling him to lay down too. To be fair, Burnett has been one of the top rated safeties in the league vs. run. Last year he was Pro Football Focus's #12 safety overall.

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Finwiz's picture

April 28, 2017 at 10:26 pm

Yeah right, so if you "friend" told you to jump off a cliff because it's thrilling, do you follow him, or stand and watch him die on his own? He should of known better without having some OTHER idiot tell him what to do. No excuse. #12 - middle of the pack safety.

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Bearmeat's picture

April 28, 2017 at 09:41 pm

Yeah. This kid looks good. But they absolutely do need a pass rusher or two who can make a difference. Counting on CM3 to be a difference maker (or healthy) at this point seems, well, stupid. Ditto Perry (at least the healthy part). Elliot still hasn't gotten it together and Fackrell is the world's oldest 2nd year player.

Yeah. They should be better coverage-wise this year. But they've got to get better at rushing the passer.

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Rossonero's picture

April 28, 2017 at 09:51 pm

Agreed. I wanted Derek Rivers bad, but Patriots just took him. Best way to improve the secondary is to improve the pass rush -- it all starts up front.

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Finwiz's picture

April 28, 2017 at 09:58 pm

Oh crap, I didn't see that - was watching the Brewers. I wanted this guy badly- now the Patriots got even better.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

April 28, 2017 at 09:50 pm

Lots of great points. I think that Jones as a back up to Morgan Burnett is a good thing in case he leaves for a free agent. I also think he can do a better job than Brice of replacing Micah Hyde. If Brice is that good, he will get snaps. You can have a 3rd safety and a nickel corner. I like his tackling and ball hawking skills. His TFL and sack numbers show he can blitz off the edge. The Packers needed a lot of help in the secondary and with their two picks and signing of Davon House have done that.

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Finwiz's picture

April 28, 2017 at 09:56 pm

So far love the picks, they filled big needs, and didn't get tempted to go Offense yet. Now all we need is Rivers somewhere in here and I'll be happy as a pig in slop!
Lots of competition in the defensive backfield now.
Hopefully Gunter gets tossed on the scrap heap, as in ejected, as in cut on the first round of cuts in TC in August. I'll throw a party. Nice work

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Since'61's picture

April 28, 2017 at 10:07 pm

Another good pick to solidify our secondary. Still need pass rush. Thanks, Since '61

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jh9's picture

April 28, 2017 at 10:09 pm

I like Josh Jones, but , IMO, this was a luxury pick. The Packers need a edge rusher and a RB more than they needed another safety.

I know the drill. Once TT makes his pick everyone falls in line. As good as Kevin King and Josh Jones might be, I think we'll look back at this year's draft and see that TT may have shored up a weak secondary, but he did it at the expense of other team needs.

And now Montravius Adams..?!

I didn't feel this way before, but now count me as part of the crowd that says TT should retire.

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NickPerry's picture

April 28, 2017 at 10:21 pm

Jones was the 61st ranked Safety in tackling efficiency in college football last season, not exactly a ringing endorsement. They NEED help at OLB big time and have now ignored the need for 3 picks.

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dobber's picture

April 29, 2017 at 07:22 am

...and he still made 109 tackles. Just how many plays was he in on to rank 61st in tackling efficiency and still make 109 tackles? Sometimes athleticism gets you in on more plays than you can actually make...think the baseball SS with a great first step and range, who ends up with more 'errors' because he gets to far more balls than a SS with average range.

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Finwiz's picture

April 28, 2017 at 10:36 pm

Wrong!!! jh9....they NEED defense badly. The best defensive players available.
If these are the most highly rated defensive players on their board, then they are doing the right thing to have the biggest impact to help the team.

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Finwiz's picture

April 28, 2017 at 10:28 pm

DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE - love it. A bolt of lightning came from heaven and struck TT at the right time. He saw the light. I wouldn't care if they went ALL defense....maybe he'll find ONE player out of the 9 picks? LOL

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stockholder's picture

April 28, 2017 at 10:53 pm

The #1 goal is to fix the secondary. Yes Watt will haunt the packers. But most of us had this discussion. I told you the packers would take a safety. If they lost Watt. They did. I also said they may want to go up and get Kevin King. Seatle backed out and KC traded up. Dallas took Taco, De. That left the door open for TT to take King or White. As much as I hated the trade. TT came away a winner. Kevin King is the new Shields. He then went Safety. Josh Jones was expected to go to Dallas. They had to take a CB. TT had his CB. Oak. took Obi. Leaving Josh Jones for the packers. TT is the winner again. Burnett will play more inside. Josh Jones was a solid pick. And another player for the future.

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Dzehren's picture

April 28, 2017 at 11:39 pm

Reviewing 2015 draft, this year is trying to fix it, randall, rollins, Monty, RIP, Ryan, Hundley, Ringo, Backman (TE) most being being replaced/ upgraded,

Sounds like offense in round 4 (2 picks) & 2 pass rushers in round 5 & wild card in RD 6, RD 7

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Turophile's picture

April 29, 2017 at 05:53 am

Hooker, Adams, Peppers, Baker, Maye, Williams and Josh Jones. What does this tell you......it's a great year for safeties.

Forget your shopping list of needs, this is a value pick.

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stockholder's picture

April 30, 2017 at 07:40 am

You forgot Melifonwu. Who went before Jones, to the Raiders. Reggie knows what he's doing. (Conley too wow). And look at A. Jackson, !st round , Not second. See ya-

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ben's picture

April 29, 2017 at 06:28 am

way off.

everybody but Rossenero any way.

Coming from the 1st person on here to suggest Julius Peppers playing LB and Clay Matthews playing MLB.

Deone Bucannon, College SS, NFL 3-4 LB, 6’1” 211, 4.49 40, 19 reps, 36.5 vert, 4.26 shuttle, 6.96 3cone

Josh Jones, College SS, NFL 3-4 LB, 6’1” 220, 4.41 40, 20 reps, 37.5 vert, 4.40 shuttle, 7.05 3cone

Slot?
please

the Vikings got the best RB and Center in the draft.

The packers are having a great draft. King better turn out as Forest Lamp was, by a significant margin, the best lineman in the draft and could have made everybody forget about TJ Lang.

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NickPerry's picture

April 29, 2017 at 06:51 am

The Vikings ALREADY have a center so I'd imagine they'll be moving Elflein to Guard. He's not the "Best Guard" in the draft, not even close. Not to mention they probably could have drafted him in the 4th round.

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4thand1's picture

April 29, 2017 at 08:39 am

Ben you loser queen fan just STFUP. The queens sold the farm and got Bradford, great move, another H Walker moment. The queens will finish dead last in the north and not have a #1 pick next year.

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egbertsouse's picture

April 29, 2017 at 08:06 am

I'm just glad that Ted is finally getting away from those under 6 ft CBs.

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Allan Murphy's picture

April 29, 2017 at 08:28 am

I watched tape on this Josh Jones not a good pic for Pack ........

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4thand1's picture

April 29, 2017 at 08:46 am

Hmmm, so the Packers must not of watched any tape on him and just picked him on a hunch?

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HankScorpio's picture

April 29, 2017 at 09:46 am

The scouting report on this kid reads like he's a faster version of Micah Hyde. The Packers need speed on defense so I'm good with swapping out Hyde and swapping in Jones. I like Hyde as a player but the NFC CG showed his limitations.

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