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Elijah Jones NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Boston College CB

BR NFL Scouting DepartmentContributor I

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 03: Elijah Jones #1 of the Boston College Eagles reacts during the second quarter against the Syracuse Orange at JMA Wireless Dome on November 03, 2023 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)
Bryan Bennett/Getty Images

HEIGHT: 6'2"

WEIGHT: 185

HAND: 9¼"

ARM: 31½"

WINGSPAN: 76"


40-YARD DASH: 4.44

3-CONE: 7.07

SHUTTLE: 4.25

VERTICAL: 42.5"

BROAD: 10'11"


POSITIVES

— Very good with route recognition. Shows necessary vision in zone to identify routes.

— Good footwork in backpedal, with the ability to stop and start. Shows good burst and acceleration out of breaks.

— Shows positional versatility, playing from outside and nickel cornerback position.


NEGATIVES

— Can struggle getting out of breaks at times. Wasted step and slower processing.

— Hip tightness shows up at times. Lacks fluidity to flip his hips and run.


2023 STATISTICS

— 9 G, 25 TOT, 1 FF, 5 INT, 8 PD


NOTES

— Born Jan. 8, 2000

— 34 career starts

— 3-star recruit in the 2018 class, per 247Sports

— 2023 first-team All-ACC

— 2022 All-ACC honorable mention

— Senior Bowl invite


OVERALL

Elijah Jones is a lengthy cornerback who has a ton of collegiate experience. He held his own and did a great job of competing at the Senior Bowl, too. Though other cornerbacks performed better, he was able to show his length and straight-line speed that week.

When playing in coverage, Jones has the versatility to play from both the outside and nickel spot. While outside, he does best when he's able to open up and stay on top of routes. He has the speed to carry receivers deep and the ball skills to remain calm and play through the receiver's hands. He also shows the necessary vision and route recognition to quickly process and react to what he sees. When in off coverage, he can struggle at times to get out of breaks, having a wide base and wasted steps before transitioning.

When playing against the run, Jones does a very good job of identifying and quickly coming up to support. He makes quick, decisive reads, but he lacks the strength and physicality when taking on blocks. He gets pushed around at times and relies best on his quickness to beat blocks in space. When tackling, he shows little to no fear and chops ball-carriers down at the legs.

Jones is an experienced player who proved more than capable throughout his collegiate career. He looks to be best when in zone coverage, where he is able to use his vision and anticipation. Ultimately, he'll provide depth on the outside as well as from the nickel.


GRADE: 6.1 (High-Level Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 159

POSITION RANK: CB21

PRO COMPARISON: Bryce Hall


Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

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