Cyrus Jones NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Patriots Rookie

POSITIVES

A former wide receiver, Cyrus Jones made a smooth transition to cornerback for the Alabama Crimson Tide. After receiving the expert coaching of Nick Saban, he became an All-SEC second-teamer and an ace punt returner.

Jones will be talked about as both a defensive back and a return man in draft rooms, and the plays that wake scouts up come on special teams. He returned four punts for touchdowns in 2015—best in the country—and had an average of 12.6 yards per return.

As a defensive back in the Alabama scheme, Jones was asked to press and play on the line of scrimmage. He's feisty and quick, showing the strength to throw receivers off their release and interrupt their routes. He's a physical player—especially for his size—and will impress with his toughness and mean streak.

NEGATIVES

The charges were dropped, but Jones was accused of domestic violence in April 2015. The seriousness of the allegations will cause NFL teams to take a long, hard look into his background.

Other off-field issues for Jones include a labrum tear in his hip during the 2014 season. On the field, Jones is short and has less-than-ideal length (31 ⅜-inch arms). He's also quicker than fast and doesn't flash the long recovery speed to make plays on vertical routes.

Jones struggled to make plays against big receivers and was beaten for points too often. In 2015 he allowed six touchdowns to just two interceptions. That highlights his inability to make plays underneath the receiver on jump balls. At 5'9 ⅞" with a 33-inch vertical, Jones won't be dominating anyone on 50-50 balls.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 5'9 ⅞"

Weight: 197 lbs.

40 Time: 4.49s

3-Cone: 6.71s

Short Shuttle: 4.21s

PRO COMPARISON: Logan Ryan, New England Patriots
FINAL GRADE: 5.90/9.00 (Round 4—Backup Caliber)