My Bengals Dozen: Julio Jones

Alabama Junior Receiver Julio Jones is next on my prospect list for the series “My Bengals Dozen”. Julio has been linked to Bengals in the media and has been on a visit to the team earlier this month. In fact Peter King went on record earlier this draft season that he thinks the Bengals rank Julio Jones over the more popular receiver AJ Green. Saying this:

"I’m told the Bengals, who have the fourth pick and are considering a receiver, have Jones ahead of Green on their preliminary draft board. Coach Marvin Lewis wouldn’t go that far this morning at the annual NFL meetings, but there’s no question he’s studying each guy."

Basic info:
Height: 6026 Weight: 220
40 Yrd Dash: 4.34, 20 Yrd Dash: 2.47
10 Yrd Dash: 1.50, Vertical Jump: 38.5″
Broad Jump: 11’03,” 20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.25
3-Cone Drill: 6.66, Bench Reps: 17

Notes:

• Versus Elite DB’s still had elite performances.
• Great effort every play, never takes a play off.
• Rare physical blocker for position, is very aggressive.
• Was very good about snagging balls with his hands down field rather then using his body.
• On shorter routes may tend to catch against his body.
• Great route runner.
• Can “out muscle” corners using his size as an advantage.
• Can generate a lot of Yards After Catch.
• Creates separation on man coverage.
• Physical runner with the ball. (A stiff arm vs Patrick Peterson is just staying in my mind)
• Smart player, finds “soft spots” in zone coverage.
• His broken hand is apparent during points of the season.
• Is a threat lining up any where from the Slot and outside.

Bottom Line

• Is a great talent with a phenomenal upside.
• His toughness is incredible, broken hand during season and broken foot at combine.
• With that toughness, you can also be worried it comes with the label “fragile” as he’s always fighting through something.
• This past season has done wonders with his draft stock, showing up against NFL level talent.
• Best fit for Julio may be a West Coast Offense.

Concerning his draft stock; Julio is listed as the #2 overall WR on most draft boards and is a fringe top 10 player. As mentioned before Sports Illustrated’s Peter King feels Julio Jones would be a better fit for Cincinnati then Georgia WR A.J. Green. And for a while National Football Post’s Wes Bunting also subscribed to that train of thought, mocking him to the Bengals at the #4 pick. (Now with it being Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri) He may be a reach at the number 4 pick in some circles, but it really is just a better fit for the system a team is trying to instill. So pick your poison Marvin, this 4th overall pick is going to be risky whoever it may be.