RealGM

Josh Jones, S, North Carolina State (7, 8): The Cowboys drafted Chidobe Awuzie primarily as a cornerback, which made Jones the eighth safety selected. It was an all-time draft at safety, and the Packers got a good and potentially great player.
Despite his arresting size-speed numbers (6-1½, 221, 4.40), Jones was better playing in the box. He’s a little stiff in the hips, and even with the speed there are reservations about his range.

He’ll need some work playing the middle of the field. At times, he has been overly aggressive in coverage, sitting on or jumping routes and giving up big plays.
With Ha Ha Clinton-Dix patrolling deep, Jones can learn the nuances of off-the-hash coverage in time. His role appears to be as one of the two linebackers in the nickel defense and possibly as the only linebacker in the dime.
Joe Thomas (6-0½, 230) had that job last season. He can be an explosive tackler, as can Jones, but can’t even begin to cover as much ground.
It’s questionable if Jones possesses the physicality to shed a block and tackle a top running back as the lone linebacker in a 4-1 defense. What he should be able to do is blitz or spy the quarterback.

The selection of Jones could enable Morgan Burnett, if he can fend off talented youngster Kentrell Brice’s bid for at least a little playing time, to play 100% of the snaps at safety alongside Clinton-Dix.

jimmybones wrote:My favorite pick. Seems like the perfect hybrid we've wanted. I love hearing them talk about using him as essentially an ILB. Whether you call him an ILB/ 3rd safety/ 5th or 6th DB, I don't care, he's more talented and athletic than any one else we've had at ILB or hybrid.

Mags FTW wrote:I'd like to see him put on a little more weight if he's going to be the pseudo ILB. He looks a little skinny for his height.