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Tennessee football: Ranking Vols by pro potential for 2022 NFL Draft

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) gestures while officials review a touchdown scored by Alabama during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp
Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) gestures while officials review a touchdown scored by Alabama during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp /
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Feb 5, 2022; Mobile, AL, USA; American squad wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. of Tennessee (1) runs with the ball in the first half against the National squad during the Senior bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2022; Mobile, AL, USA; American squad wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. of Tennessee (1) runs with the ball in the first half against the National squad during the Senior bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

Wide receiver. Saraland, Ala.. 2. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Velus Jones Jr.. player

6’0′ 204 pounds

You can’t teach speed, and at receiver, it’s easy to apply that to success on the field. Velus Jones Jr. emerged as an elite slot receiver and return specialist for Tennessee football in Josh Heupel’s system, which was perfect for him, and this offseason has shown he was even better than we thought while he was playing.

Jones’ NFL Combine profile showed a 4.31-40-yard dash. He wouldn’t be this high up if he were just being targeted as a receiver, but he’s being targeted as a return specialist, similar to Cordarrelle Patterson, and that’s what propels him up here when it comes to pro potential.

Last year, Jones was an All-SEC return specialist, averaging over 15 yards a punt return on 18 returns and over 27 yards a kickoff return on 23 returns, running one back for a score. He was also second on the team in receiving, catching 62 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns.

Related Story. Five best NFL landing spots for Velus Jones Jr.. light

Simply put, Jones is a deadly weapon with the ball in his hands, and that’s what puts him so high up on this list. Josh Palmer, Jauan Jennings and Marquez Callaway are retaining the Wide Receiver U title for Rocky Top, and Jones has the chance to do that himself now. Like Matthew Butler, he should be a high pick on the last day.

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