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Cyrus Jones’ 40-Yard Dash Time Belies Overall Athleticism At NFL Combine
Cyrus Jones' 40-yard dash time will do little to bolster cornerback's draft stock, though his other NFL Combine results showcased excellent athleticism.
February 29, 2016While Cyrus Jones’ 40-yard dash time will do little to bolster cornerback’s draft stock, he had a solid showing in the drills portion of the NFL Combine.
Monday was flooded with fast times for defensive backs at the NFL Combine. Unfortunately for Alabama cornerback Cyrus Jones, his performance was a tad underwhelming.
Compared to other top defensive back prospects in this year’s draft, Jones fell well behind Ohio State’s Eli Apple (4.40) and Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey (4.41). He did beat out Florida’s Vernon Hargreaves III, widely considered the best pure cornerback in the draft, who turned in a time of 4.50.
And while there was little display of elite speed, Jones wasn’t expected to burn the doors off of Lucas Oil Stadium. He’s more of a physical corner who can body receivers off the line, disrupt rhythms early in the game and be an asset in containing opposing rushing attacks. His test scores don’t jump off the page, but the live drills showcased the potential Jones possesses.
Jones was one of the anchors of Alabama’s stout championship defense, and teams looking at his value will find it more on game tape than snippets from the league’s annual Indianapolis meat market. Beyond his potential in nickel situations, Jones can provide worth on special teams. His four punt returns for a touchdown in 2015 show that there’s excpetional top-end speed and vision. Beyond that, his maturity from playing under Nick Saban and Kirby Smart will be a boon in any locker room.
While the combine will do little to bolster his draft position (though the interview process might impress scouts), it also hasn’t hurt his positioning. Look for Jones to improve upon his times at Alabama’s pro day on March 9. As things sit right now, he’s likely a late-round flier for a team looking for a heady player, depth in the secondary and a little pop in the return game.
