The pick is in: Jaguars select FSU CB Jarrian Jones at 96th overall

The Jaguars’ third pick of the 2024 NFL Draft is cornerback Jarrian Jones. Here’s everything you need to know.

With the 96th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select Jarrian Jones, cornerback, Florida State.

Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images

Background

• Name: Jarrian (JAR-ee-un) “J-Dubb” Jones
• Consensus ranking: 144th (CB15)
• Year: Fifth-year senior
• Age: Turns 23 on May 8th
• Hometown: Brandon, Miss.
• High school: Northwest Rankin
• Recruiting: 4 stars
• Instagram: @iamjarrianjones
• Twitter: @JarrianJones
• Accolades: All-ACC Honorable Mention; Led team in INTs (2023)

Consensus rankings via NFL Mock Draft Database; recruiting info via 247 Sports

Stats

Measurables

Analysis

Scouting report from Cory Giddings of Bleacher Report:

Jones does his best work when playing in man coverage. He does a great job staying hip to hip with receivers, has the communication skills to pass off or switch defenders based on alignments and shows very good route recognition when downfield.

Jones is a solid cornerback with versatility to line up across the field. He has the explosiveness and speed to compete in the NFL. While he likely will provide depth in the beginning, he has a chance to compete for playing time as he gets acclimated to the NFL.

Player summary from Dane Brugler of The Athletic:

Overall, Jones has an impressive athletic profile, and his inside-outside experience is a plus, but he plays too reactionary and needs to better pick up on route clues to survive in NFL coverage. He projects as a potential reserve and special teamer.

Prospect overview from Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:

Urgent cornerback with good size and above-average aggression in all aspects of his game. While Jones is all gas from snap to whistle, he can be clunky matching a receiver’s release and has a hard time transitioning through sharp break points without allowing glaring separation. His chase speed is average and he might require help over the top. He does a nice job of anticipating breaks from a shuffle and is effective from zone with a decent burst to close when playing forward. He’s aggressive in run support and battles for positioning in coverage. Jones’ limitations might be mitigated and his strengths maximized as a nickel cornerback playing forward from a zone-heavy cover scheme.

Last word from Brandon Tew of Sports Info Solutions:

Jarrian Jones projects best as a No. 4 slot cornerback who fits best in a press scheme. He has the flexibility to also work on the outside, but he lacks the length and strength to consistently press longer receivers out there. While his reactive athleticism and start-stop acceleration are only at a sufficient level, he shows good transition skills and quickness to beat receivers on the inside. Additionally, he has the high-end speed to stick with just about any receiver down the field. He lacks some zone awareness at times, especially down the field, showing better ball skills and eye discipline closer to the line rather than deep down the field. On 3rd downs, pressing slot receivers on the inside is where he’ll be at his best. He is a solid tackler and isn’t afraid to support the run. With that mindset and his top-end speed, he’ll contribute on special teams.

Bottom line from Trevor Sikkema of PFF:

Jones transferred to Florida State after one year at Mississippi State, and he blossomed into an impact player. He was primarily an outside cornerback through the first four years of his college career, but his below-average long speed/recovery speed was exposed there, especially when asked to play press. In 2023, he played in the slot and had a career year. He has the traits to succeed as a slot defender at the next level, boasting quick feet, hips and acceleration to stick with players in space. He also brings great awareness of spacing and throwing paths, and he is consistently conscious of putting himself between the receiver and the ball.

Jaguars fans, let us know your initial thoughts in the comments below!