Chandler Jones: First-Round Pick?

by Sean Keeley on Feb 3, 2012 4:52 PM EST in Syracuse Football

When Syracuse Orange defensive end Chandler Jones announced that he was forgoing his senior season for the NFL Draft, a lot of fans wondered how high he could conceivably go.

Third or fourth round seemed to be the general consensus and we didn't see anything to dispute that. Even if that was his ceiling it still made sense since he watched his brother drop to the fifth round following a senior year injury.

But how does the sound of Chandler Jones being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft grab you? Cause it seems to grab Todd McShay just fine:

"The Patriots have two first-round picks, and while coach Bill Belichick's track record indicates he'll trade one of them, we have to project both to the Patriots until we know otherwise. Jones is an under-the-radar pass-rusher with the frame (6-5, 247) Bill Belichick likes in his DE/OLB hybrids, and he's a gifted athlete who bends the edge naturally. He's the brother of Ravens DL Arthur Jones and MMA sensation Jon Jones."

Um...wow. Jones played in seven games this season, collecting 30 solo tackles, 7 1/2 tackles for a loss, 4 1/2 sacks and All-Big East First-Team honors. Decent numbers given his injury but nothing that would lead you to believe he was a first-rounder. Perhaps there's some untapped potential that folks like McShay are starting to recognize. Of course, when he's healthy, Chan-Chan is a beast. I suppose so long as he remains as such, he can go pretty high.

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HOLY. SH**

That would be so awesome.

(Cue everyone else who hates the Patriots complaining)

http://cusepulp.blogspot.com/

by Lots of Pulp on Feb 3, 2012 4:56 PM EST reply actions

This is complete baseless specualtion…

But I have to imagine the facts that one of his bro’s is already a solid D linemen and his other is probably the best MMA fighter in the world would boost his stock a bit.

Check out buddynixon.com for more of my work.

by cjf4 on Feb 3, 2012 4:58 PM EST reply actions

Not after

the Eagles drafted Casey Mathews

by Mike Will is DoubleDown on Feb 3, 2012 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

Chan Jones

could be JPP2.0. Lanky skinny raw athlete – goes to the NFL, puts some size on and with a little polish is getting 16 sacks a year. Id say Chandler is as athletic as JPP (in a fluidity and coordination sense). Lots of teams are looking more at potential with players on that side of the ball. Look at Jameel Mcclain… went from an athletic DE who went undrafted to a starting MLB on one of the best D’s in the game. It can be done if the guy has the ability.

May Doug Marrone bless you and keep you.

by ryanwk628 on Feb 3, 2012 5:00 PM EST reply actions

Jameel did have experience at MLB

That’s where he was playing under Coach P before G-Rob moved him to DE after Ryan LaCasse graduated.

by SpotOnSpotwood on Feb 3, 2012 9:23 PM EST up reply actions

i would be soooooo happy if he played for the Pats

And, just to add, considering the date… Go Pats!

"We don't lose hat and t-shirt games" - Tedy Bruschi

by chrisbee13 on Feb 3, 2012 5:02 PM EST reply actions

I concur!

GO PATS!

'Cuse 2010, Michigan 2012

by Orange22 on Feb 3, 2012 9:28 PM EST up reply actions

i hate the patriots...

but if he went 1st round that’s good for cuse football, so that trumps my disdain for the pats. the only thing that would suck is that i would have a harder time hating the pats with chan jones on the team.

by Derek on Feb 3, 2012 5:06 PM EST reply actions

This

Bubba Army

by AdirondackOrange on Feb 3, 2012 5:57 PM EST up reply actions

Unfortunately

If McShay said it, it probably wont happen. However, if he busts out at combine and individual workouts, then yeah, maybe he could slip into the first. I’ll still bet he is 3rd round pick tho

by Mike Will is DoubleDown on Feb 3, 2012 5:10 PM EST reply actions

Bit of a stretch to go 1st round,

unless he really impresses at the combine. I would agree with 3rd round like Mike Will.

by Piety Hill on Feb 3, 2012 6:12 PM EST reply actions

Remember Mike williams was graded as a 1st round talent

by Mcshay, but because of his off the field issues he wasn’t an actual first rounder.

by fatmofo55 on Feb 3, 2012 6:56 PM EST reply actions

I don't get it!!??

He’s never shown me anything close to what I’d expect of a 1st rounder, especially considering he played in the weak BE. His numbers were not great considering who he played against… and, I don’t care what anyone says, he is sssslllloooowwww… I saw an offensive lineman run him down from behind when he was lumbering for a TD on a TO… a OLB\DE hybrid??!! Give me a break!! NE will NOT waste a first round pick on him… forget about it!!!

by OrangeNutz on Feb 3, 2012 9:57 PM EST reply actions