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

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

Process

Here’s where Jones ranked on some national draft analysts’ big boards.

• ESPN’s Jordan Reid: CB19 (fourth-round grade)
• NFL Network’s Lance Zierlien: CB23 (fifth-round grade)
• Bleacher Report’s Cory Giddings: CB27 (sixth-round grade)
• The Athletic’s Dane Brugler: CB28 (sixth-round grade)

As the 13th cornerback selected in the draft, taking Jones in the third round was a reach. It’s not to the extent that warrants criticism, and Jones may end up a good player, but what raises my eyebrow is that Jacksonville didn’t leave the first two days of the draft with a higher-ranked corner.

The Jaguars have “fixed” arguably its biggest issue on each side of the ball from the 2023 season: Maason Smith will provide immediate run support as Brian Thomas Jr. creates space for the team’s returning playmakers. I’m not sure they’ve looked enough to 2025, when Tyson Campbell will reach free agency and Ronald Darby will enter his age-31 season.

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

Stock

via NFL Mock Draft Database

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:

It took a while for Jones to find a home at slot cornerback, but since doing so, he has shown valuable skills that should translate to the NFL. His quickness, both physically and mentally, projects well to the slot as a rotational defensive back or nickel starter.

Highlights

See more rookie highlights here

Quotes

“Growing up I was a big Maurice Jones-Drew guy, big Maurice Jones-Drew guy. Like I was a superfan of him. I watched just about every game that he played. When Jalen [Ramsey] went there from Florida State, I was tuned into every game. Him playing inside, outside, just what he brought to the game. I kind of fell in love with the Jaguars while Jalen was there, especially while Maurice Jones-Drew was there. Just now me being able to continue that Florida State pipeline and come in, make plays, do what I do best, it’s a blessing man.”

Read more rookie quotes here

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