Dallas Cowboy: RB Felix Jones
War Room analysis
Round 1, Pick 22
by Matthew Kutz
for http://warroom.sportingnews.com
Overall grade: 8.2
Position rank: 3
Blocking: 3
Durability: 19
Hands/routes: 2
Inside running: 9
Outside running: 2
NFL comparison: Frank Gore, 49ers
POST-DRAFT TAKE: Owner/GM Jerry Jones goes with the "other" Arkansas back. Felix Jones is very versatile and can help the Cowboys as a runner, catching passes out of the backfield and even aligned at wide receiver. His experience sharing time with Darren McFadden at Arkansas should help him transition to a part-time role with Marion Barber.
PRE-DRAFT REPORT:
Inside running: Is surprisingly aggressive and explosive. Hits the hole fast and hard, showing the strength and balance to absorb hard hits and keep on going. Has better strength than expected, and shakes off tacklers not in good position and using good technique. Runs a bit upright. Does not consistently wrap up the ball in traffic; has fumbled in games we've evaluated. Grade: 8.0
Outside running: Is a threat to score when reaching the open field. Shows the explosive burst and speed to bounce outside when the middle is clogged, and outruns defenders to the corner. Shows the wiggle to make would-be tacklers miss, and makes sharp cutback runs against the grain, exploding through the backside hole. Grade: 8.0
Blocking: Lacks experience as a lead blocker. Has a lot of experience in pass protection. Is a surprisingly competitive, productive pass blocker who steps up and neutralizes blitzers, either by cut blocking them or taking them on aggressively. Grade: 8.0
Hands/routes: Shows excellent hands to pluck the ball away from his body, and makes tough catches look easy. Runs precise routes, and shows explosive burst out of cuts. Grade: 8.0
Durability: Has the size, strength and toughness to be durable, but runs upright and absorbs a lot of hard hits. Has not proven capable of handling a fulltime load. Grade: 4.0
Bottom line: Jones has not received as much attention as teammate Darren McFadden but is a more versatile, elusive and explosive runner. Jones is a dangerous weapon, making big plays in the running and passing games. Some NFL teams will knock Jones down draft boards, concerned his upright running style will lead to injury problems in the NFL. That said, we like Jones' all-around ability and are confident he will become a good NFL feature back. He also is an elite kickoff return man who will help his team win the field position battle.
Round 1, Pick 22
by Matthew Kutz
for http://warroom.sportingnews.com
Overall grade: 8.2
Position rank: 3
Blocking: 3
Durability: 19
Hands/routes: 2
Inside running: 9
Outside running: 2
NFL comparison: Frank Gore, 49ers
POST-DRAFT TAKE: Owner/GM Jerry Jones goes with the "other" Arkansas back. Felix Jones is very versatile and can help the Cowboys as a runner, catching passes out of the backfield and even aligned at wide receiver. His experience sharing time with Darren McFadden at Arkansas should help him transition to a part-time role with Marion Barber.
PRE-DRAFT REPORT:
Inside running: Is surprisingly aggressive and explosive. Hits the hole fast and hard, showing the strength and balance to absorb hard hits and keep on going. Has better strength than expected, and shakes off tacklers not in good position and using good technique. Runs a bit upright. Does not consistently wrap up the ball in traffic; has fumbled in games we've evaluated. Grade: 8.0
Outside running: Is a threat to score when reaching the open field. Shows the explosive burst and speed to bounce outside when the middle is clogged, and outruns defenders to the corner. Shows the wiggle to make would-be tacklers miss, and makes sharp cutback runs against the grain, exploding through the backside hole. Grade: 8.0
Blocking: Lacks experience as a lead blocker. Has a lot of experience in pass protection. Is a surprisingly competitive, productive pass blocker who steps up and neutralizes blitzers, either by cut blocking them or taking them on aggressively. Grade: 8.0
Hands/routes: Shows excellent hands to pluck the ball away from his body, and makes tough catches look easy. Runs precise routes, and shows explosive burst out of cuts. Grade: 8.0
Durability: Has the size, strength and toughness to be durable, but runs upright and absorbs a lot of hard hits. Has not proven capable of handling a fulltime load. Grade: 4.0
Bottom line: Jones has not received as much attention as teammate Darren McFadden but is a more versatile, elusive and explosive runner. Jones is a dangerous weapon, making big plays in the running and passing games. Some NFL teams will knock Jones down draft boards, concerned his upright running style will lead to injury problems in the NFL. That said, we like Jones' all-around ability and are confident he will become a good NFL feature back. He also is an elite kickoff return man who will help his team win the field position battle.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:24 PM
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