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NFL Draft: Can Jarron Jones Prove the Haters Wrong?

By Noah Strackbein

Oct 15, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Jarron Jones (94) pressures Stanford Cardinal quarterback Keller Chryst (10) in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Jarron Jones (94) pressures Stanford Cardinal quarterback Keller Chryst (10) in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Notre Dame is sending a player to the 2017 NFL Draft that has as much to prove as anyone.

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Jarron Jones has the skill set and physical attributes to be a hot commodity in the NFL Draft. But the worries surrounding his character and drive are going to haunt him this April. After a poor NFL Combine and a subpar Notre Dame Pro Day, teams are very wary of picking the run stopper.

Jones will get drafted. Whether it’s a mid or late round pick is still unknown, but no one is taking a chance on him to step in as a starter. The risk he brings at the next level is something that’s going to hold teams back. If a team does take a chance on him early, they’ll need to see something no one else has.

The former Notre Dame standout has dug himself a hole that’s going to be tough to get out. He’s lost all his chances pre-draft. Now, he’s going to have to rescue his career while in the NFL.

Jones is going to come into the league as a backup nose guard. He’s got the size and the strength to explode in the pros. Create a stronger work ethic, and Jones could have a successful NFL career. That’s a lot harder said than done, but if it happens, Jones would be one of the best steals in this draft.

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After his slide on most draft boards, Jones is likely going to fall into the fifth or sixth round. At that point in the draft, teams aren’t looking for anything serious. So, Jones will have to work from the ground up.

His expectations will be low, which actually help him. His future team isn’t looking for him to come in and dominate right away. As he builds himself into a true NFL talent, he can remain under the radar and work on his character issues.

Here’s the problem – Jones could be a total bust. We have to keep expectations high as fans, but the truth is everything NFL teams are concerned about could be true. If Jones is a bust at the next level, it isn’t because of his football ability.

During his time at Notre Dame, he’s proven he can dominate on the defensive line. What will hold him back is his lack of motivation. Whether he chooses to work and gain the respect of his future team is his call. But from what we’ve seen, he isn’t improving this offseason.

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He’s the biggest question mark out of South Bend. Whoever takes a chance on Jones will need to put work into him. But if he proves his haters wrong, Jones could end up being one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL one day.

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