Green Bay Packers film room: Breaking down second-round pick Josh Jones

Trait #3: Recovery Speed

Jones is a physical defensive back with good on-field awareness, but what makes him a potentially special player is his blazing straight-line speed.

Jones saved a lot of touchdowns in his time at NC State because of his ability to track down ball carriers from behind. His recovery speed helps bail out a defense and minimize big-play production for opposing offenses.

In this clip against Miami the receiver breaks free on a post route and Jones runs him down to prevent the score.

Jones shows all-out effort to make the stop, but his top-end speed is also on display. Plays like this show up routinely in Jones’ film.

Take this next play against East Carolina, for example. Jones is lined up in off coverage as a strong safety. However, when the halfback breaks through the second level of the defense, Jones is the guy who tracks him down to prevent the breakaway touchdown.

What also impresses me about this play is that Jones begins on the other side of the field, but he takes a great angle to the ball carrier and closes in on him quickly.

It’s another good effort, but the play also shows his range as a defender. This is a valuable trait for any defense to have on the field.

In the final clip, Jones is lined up in the other safety spot. Miami runs a draw on 3rd-and-long, and as the halfback breaks free through the line he has a lot of real estate ahead of him. Jones does a nice job quickly turning and accelerating to track down the ball carrier.

Jones’ speed enables him to get into position to make plays. He’s a also a great player in pursuit, and whether he’s lining up as a box safety or linebacker, his run-and-chase ability should give the Packers another active defender to roam the field and make plays in space.