Connecticut DT Travis Jones
6-foot-4
325 pounds
Yahoo Sports’ 2022 NFL draft grade
5.99 — possible second-rounder; starter potential
TL;DR scouting report
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The skinny
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MOBILE, AL – FEBRUARY 02: National defensive lineman Travis Jones of Connecticut (57) during the Reese’s Senior Bowl practice session on February 2, 2002 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Upside
Mass of humanity with wide build and great length — 34 1/4-inch arms and 10 1/4-inch hands
Eye-opening combine workout — strong results in the 40, broad jump, 3-cone drill
Good stamina — 50-plus snaps in more than half his college games
Harnesses brute power, stemming from a thick lower half
Good upper-body strength to steer and toss opponents
Toys with smaller blockers if he gains early control
Gets great arm extension to keep blockers out of his frame
Surprisingly proficient hand battler, and not just with power
Good straight-line burst forward — takes a beeline to the backfield
Unfazed by contact — bullies his way through and seldom denied
Dominant run-stopping ability — can anchor the middle of a defense
Relentless approach — wants to steamroll his man
Humiliated some blockers in Senior Bowl one-one-one battles
Can fit in the middle of both odd and even fronts
Ideal two-gapping frame and game
Glimmer of pass-rush potential evident late in 2021 season and at Senior Bowl
Faced constant doubles on undermanned UConn D — focal point of every offense last two years
Could really flourish on a talented D-line
Downside
Some of his testing numbers didn’t translate from tape — not as quick on the field
Lack of explosion in combine vertical jump (29 inches)
Stiffness in some of his movements
Inconsistent get-off — could dominate with more consistent quickness off the ball
Not very effective stunting…
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