Benito

Jones

Jones appeared in all 34 regular season games for the Lions over the last two seasons and started in 15 games last year. The former undrafted free agent started his career with the Dolphins, where he will now return as a replacement for Christian Wilkins. Wilkins, now in Las Vegas, leaves behind big shoes to fill, and while Jones isn’t expected solely to replace Wilkins, he will likely see his fair share of snaps in Miami.

The Dolphins loaded up in the 2020 draft, and they added one of the best UDFA in the eyes of many analyst in Jones. The 6-foot-1, 316-pound defensive tackle recorded 5.5 sacks and picked up 10 tackles for loss for the Rebels in 2019 and was named second-team All-SEC for his efforts. He should compete for a spot in the Miami rotation this summer.

Jones (6'1/316) is a former five-star recruit who led Ole Miss with 10 TFL and recorded 5.5 sacks on his way to receiving second-team All-SEC honors. Though he lacks prototype length for an interior lineman, Jones was a disruptive force displaying impressive strength at the point of attack. He plays with solid leverage and uses his hands well to shed blocks. Zierlein states “Jones is an even-front shade nose who can step into an early rotational role, but has the potential to become a future starter with adequate rush potential to boot.” Jones should hear his name called sometime in the third-to-fifth round range.

Jones (6'1/329) is a key cog in the Ole Miss defense, so his absence will be noticeable during the second half. The senior defensive end entered Saturday’s game with 26 total tackles (9.0 for loss), 4.5 sacks and one interception. In the spring, Jones was graded as a Day 2 draft prospect by Pro Football Network draft analyst Tony Pauline.

Jones (6'2/315) recorded 34 tackles (9.0 for loss) and three sacks during the 2018 campaign. Those nine tackles for loss were a career-best for the then-junior. He is expected to be backed up by Sincere David and Quentin Bivens when the upcoming season boots up. A former five-star prospect, Jones will be worth watching for draft purposes this fall. Draft Analyst’s Tony Pauline currently grades him as a potential Day 2 prospect for spring of 2020.

“I’ve just got to be consistent. Every down, no matter if it’s first, second or third, just being consistent and just keep fighting and trying to make a play,” Jones said this spring. The 6-foot-1, 275-pounder was a five-star recruit for the 2016 cycle. In his first year of collegiate ball, he registered a healthy 39 tackles (4.5 for loss) in 13 games played. He is hoping that Ole Miss can tighten up against the run this season -- they ranked 120th out of 128 FBS teams against the run in 2016 -- saying that "[i]t was just being consistent with the playcalling, getting the plays and getting lined up.”

Jones checks in at No. 11 on ESPN 300, having chosen Ole Miss over Alabama, Florida State and Georgia (among others). Despite the fact that Jones rates very highly across the scouting board, the 6-foot-1, 275-pounder’s rundown on the aforementioned 300 is oddly subdued, with ESPN writing that he “may not wow with the eye test” and can be “engulfed by bigger blockers if they can get hands into his pads.” The site does add that Jones “demonstrate[s] very good playing strength and possesses impressive first-step quickness and snap anticipation.”

Special in general and also special in one specific aspect, with Freeze praising his “get-off.” The 6-foot-1, 275-pound phenom ranks as ESPN 300’s No. 11 prospect for 2016. They, too, were impressed with his get-off as a senior at Wayne County High School, noting that he “possesses impressive first-step quickness and snap anticipation.” In general, Freeze was very complimentary of his incoming class of freshman. Said the head coach, “all those guys competed yesterday.”

Pauline is also keen on what he refers to as Jones’ “tremendous leverage and pad level.” The analyst notes that the 6-foot-2, 315-pounder isn’t “a big, bulky lineman but would fit as a potential three technique tackle.” The former five-star prospect unloaded for 29 tackles (7.5 for loss) and a forced fumble last season. Pauline currently hits him up with a Round 3 grade for the spring draft.