I actually understand what nerd is trying to say. A lot of people on here complain about not having the correct personnel for a 3-4 defense. Saying that we don't have a prototypical DE for a 3-4. But now the Packers just drafted one, so he's saying that nobody can complain about it anymore.

Originally Posted by: go.pack.go. 

4. Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
Height: 6-4. Weight: 280. Arm: 32 1/8. Hand: 9 3/4.
40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2013): 1-2.

4/24/13: It sounds like Jones stands a good chance of being a late first-round pick. he has generated interest from a lot of 3-4 defenses due to his power and physicality.

Jones had 62 tackles with 5.5 sacks and 19 tackles for a loss in 2012. The senior has a nice mix of speed and strength, but needs to refine his pass-rushing moves. UCLA also played him out of position at defensive tackle.

Jones had a dominant week at the Senior Bowl. He showed that he is dedicated to the weight room and has put in a lot of time in developing a serious NFL body. Following the weigh-in, the powerful defensive end had a superb week of practice. Jones showed off a great skill set with which he can defeat offensive linemen with either strength or agility. Jones has the power to move offensive linemen to the side and the speed to close in a hurry. He won his one-on-one reps using both power and speed.

Jones also had a solid performance at the Combine. There is a debate about his position for the NFL, and many consider him to be a tackle/end tweener. He looks like a perfect fit as an NFL power left defensive end in a 4-3 defense who can move inside on passing downs. Even if Jones is played exclusively on the edge, he has the strength to stuff the run and can contribute as a pass-rusher. He also would fit well as a 3-4 defensive end.

Jones had 6.5 tackles for a loss and three sacks in 2011. He missed all of the 2010 season with a fractured right foot. Jones made 30 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and four sacks in 2009 playing next to Brian Price.

Pass Rush:
NFL prototype: Jared Allen, Vikings

Dion Jordan
Damontre Moore
Tank Carradine
Bjoern Werner
Ezekiel Ansah
Barkevious Mingo
Datone Jones
Margus Hunt



Recap: The NFL is a passing-driven league, and coaches will tell you that an elite pass-rusher off the edge is the most important position on the defensive side of the ball. Unless a team has a defensive tackle like the Bengals' Geno Atkins, it has to have edge-rushers who can consistently pressure the quarterback. This is a quality class of pass-rushers. All eight of the players above have shown the ability to get after the quarterback.

Like Ansah, Jones was misfit playing a lot of defensive tackle, but at the Senior Bowl, Jones showed some impressive edge-rush ability. He had 5.5 sacks in 2012, but put a lot more pressure on the quarterback than the total indicates. Jones isn't a speed-rusher, but he beats linemen with power and physicality.

Run Defense:
NFL prototype: Justin Smith, 49ers

Datone Jones
Ezekiel Ansah
Margus Hunt
Bjoern Werner
Damontre Moore
Dion Jordan
Tank Carradine
Barkevious Mingo



Recap: Defending the run isn't as in demand as it used to be with NFL coaches, but they still watch it closely when evaluating prospects. Jones is a powerful beast at the point of attack. He can hold his ground and stuff runs that come straight at him.


Motor:
NFL prototype: Jared Allen, Vikings

Damontre Moore
Bjoern Werner
Ezekiel Ansah
Dion Jordan
Datone Jones
Tank Carradine
Margus Hunt
Barkevious Mingo



Recap: Prospects who show a lack of effort can get knocked quickly by coaches when they start evaluating players. Coaches have zero patience for players who dog it. Conversely, a great motor will help players who may be short on athletic ability. This draft class has a lot of good motors amongst the early-round prospects.

Moore is utterly relentless. He never quits on plays, even if it is a run or pass play that doesn't go his direction. Werner and Ansah also give great effort. Jordan, Jones, Carradine and Hunt all are high-effort players.



Speed:
NFL prototype: Jason Pierre-Paul, Giants

Barkevious Mingo
Dion Jordan
Ezekiel Ansah
Damontre Moore
Tank Carradine
Bjoern Werner
Margus Hunt
Datone Jones



Recap: Sometimes in the NFL, players who are extremely fast can be difference-makers solely because of their speed. Whichever team drafts Mingo will have to hope that will be the case with him. There is no doubt that he is extremely fast. Mingo's one of the fastest front-seven prospects over the last decade with his speed and explosiveness being similar to Von Miller. However, Miller had an all-around great game while Mingo needs to significantly improve everywhere else.

Jones is not a speed player. He has some quickness and moves well for 6-foot-4, 280-pounder, but he isn't going to provide a speed mismatch against tackles in the NFL. When Jones moves inside to tackle to pass rush against guards, he is faster in that matchup.



Strength:
NFL prototype: Justin Smith, 49ers

Margus Hunt
Datone Jones
Ezekiel Ansah
Bjoern Werner
Tank Carradine
Damontre Moore
Dion Jordan
Barkevious Mingo



Recap: Coaches have told me that the NFL is a big man's game and is trending that way with each passing year. Hunt already has NFL strength at 277 pounds, but he could approach 300 in the NFL. There is huge upside with Hunt to be a powerful defender who beats linemen with bull rushes and the strength to toss blockers aside. He already has a nasty bull rush.

Jones is just a tad behind Hunt. The difference is that Hunt could get bigger while Jones is maxed out. He used the Senior Bowl to show that he has worked hard in the weight room. Jones is a very strong defender at the point of attack. He can push linemen around and use his power to shed blocks.

Versatility:
NFL prototype: Cameron Wake, Dolphins

Ezekiel Ansah
Dion Jordan
Margus Hunt
Datone Jones
Damontre Moore
Tank Carradine
Bjoern Werner
Barkevious Mingo



Recap: Defensive coordinators love versatility. Edge-defenders who drop int coverage and play in space are in demand. Coaches also like ends who can move inside to tackle on passing downs. This class of edge-rushers features a lot of versatility.

Hunt and Jones are versatile as well. Each can play 4-3 end and move inside to tackle on passing downs. Either player's best position in the NFL could be as 3-4 defensive ends.


Upside:
NFL prototype: Jason Pierre-Paul, Giants

Dion Jordan
Ezekiel Ansah
Bjoern Werner
Damontre Moore
Barkevious Mingo
Margus Hunt
Tank Carradine
Datone Jones



Recap: This class of ends has good upside to grow in the NFL. Jordan and Ansah's tremendous skill sets put their best football ahead of them. There is no doubt that both should be better pro players than college performers.

Carradine has some upside, but not as much as the others in this class. Jones could be better in the NFL if he is put in a better role that highlights his strengths.

Forcing Fumbles:
NFL prototype: Charles Johnson, Panthers

Damontre Moore
Barkevious Mingo
Dion Jordan
Bjoern Werner
Datone Jones
Margus Hunt
Ezekiel Ansah
Tank Carradine



Recap: The art of a strip sack is a great equalizer in the NFL. Strip sacks can change games and produce points. Moore is the best at taking the ball away from an offense. He has shown a knack for that over the past three years. Moore's totaled eight forced fumbles over that time, and he wasn't even an every-down player early on. Moore has good instincts to slap the ball out while taking down the quarterback.

Mingo had four forced fumbles during the past two seasons and came close to a few others. Jordan, Werner and Jones all recorded three forced fumbles in their respective collegiate careers. Jordan and Werner should force more as professionals.

Very happy with this pick

Originally Posted by: cheeseheads123 

Green Bay --- Here's what defensive coordinator Dom Capers had to say about Green Bay's first-round pick, Datone Jones:

JSOnline  wrote:

No, I'm saying the Packers staff bitches that they don't have prototypical players for the defense they run. Yet they continue drafting players that do not fit their scheme.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 

more walter 



I guess Jones will help end the problem GB had with the running games last season.

Originally Posted by: wpr