DaQuan Jones NFL Draft 2014: Highlights, Scouting Report for Titans DT

DaQuan Jones, DT, Penn State (HT: 6’3 ¾”, WT: 322 lbs)

Tennessee Titans

Fourth Round: 112th Pick 

NFL Comparison: Kenrick Ellis, DT, New York Jets

Height	Weight	Arm	Hand
6036	322	33 1/2"	9 5/8"

40-yd dash	10-yd split	Vert	Broad	3-Cone	Bench
5.35	1.81	25.5"	8'5"	7.76	25

Positives

• Occupies blocks and allows teammates to make plays. Sits down in holes and anchors well, proving difficult for blockers to move.
• Shows some power in his hands, is able to jolt opponents with his punch and attacks the inside shoulder of blockers to disrupt the backfield.
• Good snap anticipation, gets off the ball fairly quickly and can create an initial push.
• Displays a good motor, fights to free himself from blocks and appears committed in pursuit. Gives a strong effort for all four quarters.
• Very good run defender, holds up well against double teams and demonstrates the ability to occupy one or even two gaps.
• Does a nice job of locating the ball and shows the ability to take the right angle in space.
• Excellent size with enough length. Has played at weights over 330 pounds but looked quicker after shedding it.
• Capable of playing in multiple defensive fronts. Has experience playing 1-tech and 3-tech in a 4-3 along with nose tackle and 5-tech in a 3-4; he could potentially adapt to most schemes in the NFL.
• When playing with good pad level, he makes it difficult to blow him off the ball or stop his momentum.
• Flashes a swim move to beat his man.
• Is making strides on the field; he experienced a breakout senior season and has a lot of room for growth given the right attitude and coaching.
• Was durable throughout his college career with no history of significant injury.

Negatives

• Needs to extend his arms and improve his hand use; he urrently does not utilize his length often enough and makes it easy for opponents to get into his pads.
• Not overly athletic, lacks foot speed and does not change direction well. Turned in a very average workout at the NFL Scouting Combine.
• Stands straight up off the snap occasionally, sacrificing his leverage.
• Does not offer much as a pass-rusher; he's not quick enough to get off blocks and may lack the explosiveness necessary to close the gap on the quarterback at the next level.
• Lacks countermoves and does not have the quickness required to penetrate consistently.
• Limited in pursuit due to athletic deficiencies.
• Failed to stand out in his position group at the Senior Bowl; he looked very ordinary in one-on-one drills where his struggles to get off blocks were magnified.
• Was not very productive during his time at Penn State, recording only 15.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Could be considered somewhat of a one-year wonder.

Year	Team	Tackles	TFL	Sacks	FF	PD
2010	Penn State	6	2.0	1.0	0	0
2011	Penn State	8	0.0	0.0	0	0
2012	Penn State	22	2.0	0.5	0	1
2013	Penn State	56	11.5	3.0	0	0

Personal Notes

• First-team All-Big 10 2013.
• Criminology major.
• Overcame odds growing up, living mostly in poverty as his mother struggled with addiction.

 Ratings Chart

nces.ed.gov

Overall

A very good run defender capable of occupying gaps and locating the football, DaQuan Jones enjoyed a breakout senior season after shedding roughly 15 pounds. With experience in both a three- and four-man front, he could conceivably appeal to any number of defensive schemes. His best fit at the next level may be in a 4-3 as a 1-tech, and it is possible he sees the field immediately on running downs as a rotational player.

Draft Projection: 3rd-4th Round