Dwight

Jones

Jones was a highly productive college receiver and possesses ideal size (6'3/226), but character and work ethic concerns knocked him out of the draft. He also dropped far too many balls as a senior. Jones is worth a look in Houston, but he may max out as a practice squad, developmental player. The Texans aren’t a good landing spot for Jones because they’re chock full of receivers.

Before the Independence Bowl, Jones was briefly declared ineligible after allowing his likeness to be used to promote a party. Jones was reinstated before the bowl game, but ended up attending the party anyway. This questionable decision only adds to Jones’ rough offseason. After showing a lack of effort during Senior Bowl week and the Combine, Jones is at best a fifth-round pick.

Jones was highly productive at North Carolina and runs in the 4.5s at 6'3/230, so it’s clear that off-the-field question marks pushed him out of the draft. While the Texans have an opening at third wide receiver, Jones will remain a long shot unless the light suddenly flips on. Until that happens, it doesn’t matter that Jones has better natural talent than third-round pick DeVier Posey.

Jones possesses prototypical size and an imposing build (34-inch arms), but scouts question whether he’ll ever reach his full potential due to laziness and poor technique, specifically failing to secure passes with his hands. If Jones runs in the 4.5 range Sunday, he’ll likely see his draft stock improve. Jones projects as a late second- to early third-round pick.

Jones apparently ran a bad route at one point in drills and didn’t hustle to the other area of the field, where the quarterback placed his pass. Russ Lande of Sporting News also noted that Jones had similar problems at the Senior Bowl, specifically in terms of effort. Though long on potential at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds with 34-inch arms and mid-4.5s speed, Jones has now been flagged as a character risk in an incredibly deep receiver class.

Jones informed the team in May he no longer intends to pursue an NFL career, but the Texans still believe he may be willing to change his mind. Jones remains on the team’s roster, and will for now reside on the reserve/did not report list. It’s highly unlikely he ever plays a down for Houston.

Coach Gary Kubiak said Jones’ absence was “voluntary,” and not injury related. Kubiak described Jones as a player who’s “struggling,” though he didn’t specify mentally or physically. We’ve independently heard that Jones quit the Texans, though his agent denies it. (Typical.) Jones had character concerns in college, and was knocked for “laziness” and lack of “work ethic” at North Carolina.

He can expect to be waived shortly. Jones entered the 2011 college season with early second-day grades from NFL scouts, and earned second-team All-ACC honors. He lacked passion for the game, however, and had a red flag-filled spring that included dogging drills at the Combine. Perhaps the Texans will try to talk Jones out of it, but we’re no longer holding out hope for his NFL career.

James had some talent in college, but lacked passion for the game. He never reported to the Texans after agreeing to terms as an undrafted free agent last season.

Jones, 25, was signed to the practice squad earlier this month. He’ll participate in the Jets’ offseason program in hopes of competing for a roster spot in the summer.