Travis Jones NFL Draft Prospect Profile and Scouting Report

NFL Prospect Profile: Travis Jones, DL, UCONN

Name: Travis Jones

School: Connecticut

Year: Sr

Position: Defensive Tackle

Measurables: 6’4’, 325 lbs.

 

Stats: 

 

General Info:

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Jones attended Wilbur Cross High School before committing to the University of Connecticut.

Despite spending four years at UConn, Jones played only three seasons of football for the Huskies, as the college cancelled its 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jones finished his college career with 134 tackles and 8.5 sacks.

 

Positional Skills:

Strengths

Jones is a powerful player who plays with natural leverage. He also has exceptionally strong hands. Jones simply overpowers opponents at times and can literally slap them out of the way.

Against the run, Jones is a space eater who is difficult to move and can also push his way into the backfield. This makes him effective in short-yardage situations.

He is also able to draw double teams and still stay rooted to the spot, refusing to be shifted.

Jones shows patience in his run defense through his awareness for where the ball carrier is. He then possesses the ability to use his hands to shed blocks and the athleticism to reach for tackles.

He also plays on obvious passing downs and provides a disruptive presence as a pass rusher.

Jones is capable of straight up outmuscling the player across from him with a powerful bull rush until he reaches the quarterback.

In addition to pure power, Jones can win with his hands as a rusher.

Jones is an athlete and tested extremely well in that arena, ranking in the 93rd percentile for all defensive tackles to ever test. He received ‘great’ scores for size and agility, as well as ‘good’ ranks for speed and explosion.

Weaknesses

Despite his obvious athleticism, Jones shows too many instances of being slow off the snap of the ball. This can cause him to be ineffective and lose the rep quickly.

However, he did show flashes of the get-off speed evaluators will want to see, indicating this is something he is indeed capable of.

His technique can also lapse on some reps, which could either be a result of tiredness or taking plays off.

On multiple occasions in the same game versus Clemson, Jones failed to recognize a screen play, which could suggest he needs more development on the mental side of the game.

As a rusher, Jones can draw a double team, which is in itself a positive, but he did not display much ability to beat double teams in the passing game.

 

Fit with the Packers:

Jones could offer a dynamic presence next to Kenny Clark on the interior of Green Bay’s defensive line.

He will be 22 on draft day and boasts plenty of potential to grow into a dominant run defender who will also pose a threat against the pass.

It feels unlikely the Packers would spend a 1st round pick on a defensive tackle when they already have Clark on the roster, but if Jones is available in the 2nd round, he could well be a target for Green Bay.

 

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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres

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Comments (33)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Ya_tittle's picture

April 01, 2022 at 03:03 pm

I like him as a second rounder if we get Watson at 28

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Leatherhead's picture

April 01, 2022 at 03:14 pm

This is a good player. I just think the Packer Brass is looking at Clark, Lowry, Reed, and Slaton and thinking they don't need to spend a high pick on the DL.

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MooPack's picture

April 01, 2022 at 03:27 pm

Agree. The two Alabama DT will most likely be gone (Davis and Wyatt) before the 1st round 22 and 28 picks. The next few (Jones, Winfrey, Mathis) will likely be gone before the Packers 2nd round picks at 53 and 59. We have bigger fish to fry with WR, Edge, and RT as bigger needs. Now if one of them drops...

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scoonie_penn's picture

April 02, 2022 at 09:40 am

I think you meant Georgia for Davis and Wyatt.. Mathis is the Alabama guy.

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MainePackFan's picture

April 01, 2022 at 03:42 pm

I tend to agree LH. Unless Wyatt or Davis fall, I doubt they take a DL in the first. Maybe Matthew Butler later in the draft maybe 4th or 5th

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BirdDogUni's picture

April 01, 2022 at 06:49 pm

Reed is on a one year deal. If this kid is still available in the 3rd round, I think he would break our 3rd round curse for sure. (We really need a 3rd round pick to pan out one of these years...) ; P

4 points
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Gee's picture

April 02, 2022 at 10:22 am

Sadly I don't think he makes it out of the second round. From the limited tape I have seen agile and good foot work, and we need more beef up front. He's my draft crush right now, besides he has to be as good as Thornton or Neal right BDU?!! Hehehe I'll show myself out.

1 points
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splitpea1's picture

April 01, 2022 at 03:36 pm

The Packers should consider him with one of their second-round picks if DT better options have already been selected. Jones has excellent size and weight, will NOT get pushed backwards, clogs running lanes, and uses hands well. Strong character guy as well. Pass rush needs work, but that's not unusual. If the Packers are looking to get K. Clark more talented help for the long term without using a first-round pick, this could be the answer.

6 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

April 02, 2022 at 02:41 am

He looked pretty good against Clemson til the game got out of hand. Saw him use a Reggie like hump move a couple times but against inferior competition, seriously doubt he has the strength to do that in the pros.

If he can hold his weight in the 320-325 range he should be able to play some snaps at 3-4 DE too. I still think their biggest need is a 3T to play alongside Clark but Reed is a better option than Lowry there for sure. I'd think hard about Wyatt at 22 if he's still there but I really like Winfrey at the top of the 2nd round. I don't think he makes it to 53 but a trade down from 28 to 33-40 would work.

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MarkinMadison's picture

April 01, 2022 at 04:13 pm

If the team is trying to construct a dominant defense then adding a big body next to KC makes all of the sense in the world. Particularly when a guy this large has any amount of pass rush ability, which he clearly does. Teams would not be able to double team both KC and Jones/insert similar D tackle here. This move would not shock me at all.

3 points
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golfpacker1's picture

April 01, 2022 at 04:34 pm

I love this guy for Green Bay. Our run defense has failed when we need it. With our secondary we should force teams to pass. We would be as strong as Tampa Bay on D-line.
22-Jamison Williams or Treylon Burks
28- Christian Watson or trade back and pick up anther 3rd and 5th (prefer trade and move #28 to 2nd)
53-Travis Jones
59-Best OT that drops to us or Logan Hall
92-See #59 or Best End-Ruckert,Jelani Woods,Charlie Kolar
5th round Edge-Michael Cleamons,Isaiah Thomas
6th-0 pick
7th-WR Isaiah Weston or Kevin Austin,Kicker Cade York or Matt Araiza, TE Austin Allen or OT Blaise Andres

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 02, 2022 at 06:49 am

I agree with much of your general approach. A top receiver at 22, a trade down at 28, and a TE at 92--I think those three things are really solid ideas this year. With the addition of Reed to the DL, I'd rather see 53 used on an ILB or S.

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Renllaw's picture

April 02, 2022 at 11:45 am

I would take this draft in a heartbeat. With your short trade down from 28 I would target Alec Pierce WR Cincy. That may be a little high for him, but I don't think he makes it to #92 and I LOVE Ruckert at #92

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stockholder's picture

April 01, 2022 at 10:03 pm

HE'LL BE GONE BEFORE THE 2ND RD. PICK. MCShay had him taken in the first. So- After Ke Ke, Lancaster, Lowrey, Adams, etc. He would be just what we Need. I have Mafe as the pick. But Jones would be a major step to a better DL.

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BirdDogUni's picture

April 01, 2022 at 11:22 pm

Just FYI sh, not everyone can be gone before our picks.

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Tundraboy's picture

April 01, 2022 at 10:14 pm

I'm from CT. Not exactly a football breeding ground but what do I know.

2 points
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BirdDogUni's picture

April 02, 2022 at 12:28 am

I wouldn't be too disappointed with this draft.

22. Jameson Williams WR Alabama
28. Treylon Burks WR Arkansas
53. Boye Mafe EDGE Minnesota
59. Leo Chenal LB Wisconsin
92. Abraham Lucas OT Washington State
132. Jelani Woods TE Virginia
140. Alex Wright EDGE UAB
171. Danny Gray WR SMU
228. Thomas Booker DT Stanford
249. Noah Elliss DT Idaho
258. Blaise Andries OG Minnesota

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 02, 2022 at 06:44 am

Wow, yeah, that would be a GREAT draft! Williams and Woods for future stars, but with Burks and Gray for 2022. Mafe and Chenal would be amazing additions to the defense.

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BirdDogUni's picture

April 02, 2022 at 01:03 am

This isn't by any means the perfect draft, but there are some decent offensive weapons.

22. Jermaine Johnson EDGE Florida State
28. Treylon Burks WR Arkansas
53. Christian Watson WR North Dakota State
59. Trey McBride TE Colorado State
92. Isaiah Thomas EDGE Oklahoma
132. Logan Bruss OT Wisconsin
140. Ryan Van Demark OT Connecticut
171. Kellen Diesch OT Arizona State
228. Bo Melton WR Rutgers
249. Jeremiah Moon LB Florida
258. Quay Holmes RB ETSU

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 02, 2022 at 06:34 am

Burks, Watson, McBride and Melton is a terrific receiving corps upgrade, but after getting J Johnson, I'd have liked a safety or ILB with pick 92.

1 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

April 02, 2022 at 03:23 am

Added some 4th round picks in a couple trade downs and picked up Jets 3rd for 2023.

Maybe between Skyy Moore and Jelani Woods one of them can break the 3rd round curse!

25.
Treylon Burks
WR Arkansas

35.
Perrion Winfrey
DT Oklahoma

53.
Boye Mafe
EDGE Minnesota

69.
Skyy Moore
WR Western Michigan

92.
Jelani Woods
TE Virginia

111.
Troy Andersen
LB Montana State

117.
Jeffrey Gunter
EDGE Coastal Carolina

130.
John Ridgeway
DT Arkansas

140.
Rasheed Walker
OT Penn State

148.
Velus Jones Jr.
WR Tennessee

150.
Eyioma Uwazurike
DT Iowa State

171.
Bryan Cook
S Cincinnati

228.
Kalon Barnes
CB Baylor

249.
Peyton Hendershot
TE Indiana

2023 NYJ 3rd
2023 BUF 6th

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 02, 2022 at 06:41 am

Top six look great, and if Winfrey or Ridgeway or Uwazurike pan out, that's a really solid draft. Burks, Moore, Woods, Jones is a nice high-value set of receivers.

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LLCHESTY's picture

April 02, 2022 at 04:02 am

Traded down a few times here for some extra 3rds and 4ths and extra picks in 2023, including Minnesota's 2nd. Really like the versatile Edge rushers Bonitto and Paschal. Bonitto is a smaller DPR but is really good in coverage if Barry wants to get creative with Mint Fronts and Paschal played a lot of 3T for Kentucky and could take some occasional snaps there like Z did.

28.
Treylon Burks
WR Arkansas

53.
Perrion Winfrey
DT Oklahoma

64.
John Metchie III
WR Alabama

77.
Nik Bonitto
EDGE Oklahoma

98.
Jelani Woods
TE Virginia

111.
Matt Waletzko
OT North Dakota

132.
Troy Andersen
LB Montana State

140.
Josh Paschal
EDGE Kentucky

156.
Velus Jones Jr.
WR Tennessee

161.
Eyioma Uwazurike
DT Iowa State

171.
Joshua Williams
S Fayetteville State

187.
Bubba Bolden
S Miami-Fl

228.
Mike Rose
LB Iowa State

249.
Tanner Conner
WR Idaho State

2023 MIN 2nd
2023 NYJ 4th
2023 DEN 4th
2023 NYJ 6th
2023 MIN 7th

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 02, 2022 at 06:56 am

One of my favorite recent mocks (I love it when the simulator drops me a gift):
22 LB Devin Lloyd
28 S Daxton Hill
53 WR Christian Watson
59 LB Leo Chenal
92 WR Khalil Shakir
132 G Cole Strange
140 TE Greg Dulcich
171 TE Chigoziem Okonkwo
228 WR Bo Melton
249 G Chris Paul
258 WR Jalen Nailor

WR: Watson, Shakir, Melton, Nailor plus TE Dulcich and Okonkwo
Defense: Lloyd, Hill, Chenal (be still my beating heart on that set of upgrades!)
OL: Strange and Paul (Yes. please!)

0 points
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stockholder's picture

April 02, 2022 at 10:23 am

Watsons the Draft push. SI has him @28. I put him @22 or they won't draft him. Devin Loyd is a great pick. Yes , he would fit in GB. But he's got stiff hips and slower than Dean. I'd wait for Chenal. (AS Campbell was signed.) Hill is falling. Very Athletic.

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 02, 2022 at 11:41 am

I see Lloyd as a Campbell clone, so that pair would transform the defense since they are both do-it-all LBs. I Iove Nakobe Dean, but I'd still take Lloyd over him.

Hill would be perfect as a nickel/star now (or put Savage there and Hill at Safety), and then Hill becomes the starting safety when Savage or Amos leaves. If BG thinks one of the other safety prospects is better, I'm good with that guy.

I'm still predicting Chenal goes late first or early second. Like I keep saying, watching him is like watching Zadarious Smith or TJ Watt; he is completely pro-ready as an "attack the LOS" player.

We both love Watson, but he definitely has lost some shine for me, as has George Pickens (didn't realize he was considered something of a head case by coaches--still love his game). I see Watson as an improved WR2 over Lazard/MVS/ESB. MAYBE he develops into a WR1, but I'd be shocked if that happens already this year, wherever he goes. I'm fine with him being the first WR we take, but I'd want a more pro-ready guy as the second WR taken then. Shakir is my favorite for that role.

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LLCHESTY's picture

April 02, 2022 at 09:14 am

I don't know if anybody else has a take on him but one guy I can't figure out is Neil Farrell. When I watched some stuff on him I immediately thought he had more pass rush upside than John Ridgeway. Looked pretty good at the Senior Bowl by most accounts and then tested like doggie doo doo at the combine. I've seen him listed anywhere from 318 to 338 lbs and he was 330 at the combine. I think he had a 21.5" vertical. PFF had him as the top P5 IDL run defender last year and I see numbers like these and wonder what's going on with this guy? Did he sit around between the Senior Bowl and the combine and eat buckets of Popeye's chicken?

I don't see the Packers taking a guy with a 1.4 RAS but his tape looks so much better than that and he contributes as a pass rusher. Not sure what his deal is but I have him behind the Iowa State kid for day 3 3-4 DEs for now.

https://twitter.com/SmartfootbalI/status/1509360915954688010?t=HRcaMQT8z...

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 02, 2022 at 11:40 am

I feel like Farrell could be a lot like a quicker Lancaster as a player. I think he'll be a good guy to spell a DT, but maybe not a future starter.

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golfpacker1's picture

April 02, 2022 at 02:21 pm

LL look at Logan Hall-Houston, 6'6" @ 290. Also A DT from Iowa State whose name I can't pronounce. I also was turned off to Neil Farrell @ combine. Runs like a slow tub of goo.
No athleticism. Logan Hall is always 2nd choice after the U Conn DT.

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LLCHESTY's picture

April 02, 2022 at 02:39 pm

Yeah. Hall was up to 288 lbs at Houston's pro day. I don't think he lasts til the 3rd round anymore. He's definitely one of the guys I hope they end up if they miss out on Wyatt or Winfrey, although I wouldn't mind Jones. I think Winfrey or Hall could be the most productive 3T but I wouldn't put it past Wyatt.

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scoonie_penn's picture

April 02, 2022 at 09:44 am

the top NFC teams have pocket passers which means the best way to disrupt their game is continuous pressure up the middle to get them off their spot. Brady, Stafford, Prescott, Jimmie G all prefer an uncluttered pocket. Some beef that creates push is a solid strategy.

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golfpacker1's picture

April 02, 2022 at 02:15 pm

If we are taking under 6 foot wr check out Jaquez Ezzard Sam Houston State-a touchdown machine and returns kicks.
Also WR- Isaiah Weston-Northern IA-6'3 4.3 forty averaged 23 YPC
WR Kevin Austin-Notre Dame 6'2' 4.4
WR Calvin Austin-Memphis 5'8 4.3
My picks for WR in order-Jamison Williams, Trelon Burks, Christian Watson, George Pickens, Jalen Tolbert,Wandale
Robinson, Alec Pierce,Tyquan Thornton.
So many to choose from. We need a WR @#22 then trade back #28 ten spots or less & pick up another 3 and 5.
We are in a perfect spot @ # 28. Somebody always wants back into 1st round and will pay dearly-Fleece them.

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Titletown222's picture

April 02, 2022 at 04:11 pm

BG's priorities as established by prior drafts. 1) Protect A Rod. 2) Rush the passer 3) Defend the pass. Keep these in mind when draft night comes. I dont see him overdrafting the WR position. Our WR's need to block. Olave does not block. I cant see the packers trading up for a player that is a liability in 55% of our plays on offense.

I see a lot of needs on this team and the idea of trading up will severely limit our ability to fill those positions (2-3 WR, DL, TE, S, OT, IOL, LB, RB, Slot corner)

Pleading that BG doesn't draft a WR that is not worthy of the selection just for need. If the defensive players fall to us, lets go heavy D with the first 5 picks.

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