Patriots Undrafted CB Jonathan Jones Turns Heads In Minicamp
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- Now that former undrafted free agent Malcolm Butler has emerged as a No. 1 cornerback, it's no longer an automatic eye-roll when UDFAs catch the eyes of reporters who cover Patriots practices. After an eye-opening preseason, Patriots beat reporters from all corners of the internet pumped his tires entering the 2014 season, which Butler ended up capping with that one play in the Super Bowl.
Now, another undrafted rookie corner caught the eyes of media at Patriots minicamp: Jonathan Jones out of Auburn. ESPN's Mike Reiss posted a column Friday afternoon noting Jones' emergence as a "rookie of note." Reiss pointed out that Jones was a "priority free agent" of the Patriots, due to the fact that he received more guaranteed money than any other undrafted free agent on the team.
Jones ran a 4.32 40-yard dash but his lack of size (5-foot-9, 186 pounds) likely deterred teams in the draft. Jones' scouting reports described "ball skills to be disruptive at the point of catch" - which in English means he's good at breaking passes up. Jones caught Reiss' eye with two passes defended during minicamp drills.
Jones sounds ready to put in the kind of work that Butler did to earn his keep as a Patriots cornerback. If Jones emerges as a legitimate starting cornerback he could save the Pats serious money in the short-term as they decide what to do with pending free-agent corners Butler and Logan Ryan.
"[The Patriots] preach here that you get what you earn here, so it's kind of one of those places that as long you put the hard work in and dedication you'll get the results," Jones told CSNNE's Tom E. Curran.
Hopefully, Jones is closer to Butler than Zach Sudfeld.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
