Gang Green Nation
The Jets recently claimed linebacker Cam Jones off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs. Today we break Jones down in detail.
The 25-year old Jones is listed at 6’2″ and 227 pounds and was an undrafted free agent out of Indiana in 2023. Jones played all 32 regular season games over the past two seasons, starting two and racking up 36 tackles and a quarterback hit. His main role was on special teams though and he’s played a similar role with the Jets so far this season.
Background
Jones was a three-star high school recruit who headed to Indiana in 2018 and contributed well as a freshman with 20 tackles, two forced fumbles and in interception in 11 games.
His role increased in 2019 although he remained as a backup. He had 35 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass breakups and a pick-six.
Jones made his first start in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and was named as an all-Big 10 honorable mention as he had 35 tackles, three sacks and a career-best three pass breakups in just eight games.
In 2021, he was productive again with a career-high 64 tackles and two sacks in 11 games. However, his 2022 season ended prematurely due to injury. Despite this, he was so productive that he named as an honorable mention again. In just five games, he had 55 tackles and two sacks.
Jones was invited to the scouting combine but ended up going undrafted. Despite this, he made the Chiefs’ opening day roster as an undrafted free agent and remained on the team for the next two seasons, mostly in a special teams role.
As a rookie, he had only played three defensive snaps entering the last week, but started the last game as the Chiefs were resting their starters for the postseason. He racked up 12 tackles in that game.
Last year, the same thing happened as he had played seven snaps leading up to the season finale but then started and had a full-time role in the last game, in which he again had 12 tackles. The Chiefs lost this one 38-0, though.
Having been released in final cuts, Jones was claimed by the Jets and has played a role on special teams for them so far this year.
Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Jones brings to the table as a player, based on extensive research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Jones shows good athletic ability in his game film but only ran a 4.71 at the scouting combine. However, he got this down to 4.61 at his pro day. He has below average size and length.
The rest of his workout numbers were disappointing as he had a 33-inch vertical, below average agility numbers and 17 bench press reps.
Usage
Jones is an off-ball linebacker, which obviously requires him to match up in the slot from time to time.
At Indiana, he started off in the husky role, which is a hybrid safety...
