Patriots select cornerback Cyrus Jones

The New England Patriots selected cornerback Cyrus Jones out of Alabama 60th overall in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft on Friday.

Jones will likely play as a nickel cornerback in the NFL, but he boasts excellent ball skills and could develop further. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick specializes at developing defensive backs, and Jones will fight for a spot in the rotation.

Although he's nominally listed as a cornerback, Jones excels in the return game and may be used primarily on special teams during his rookie year.

Jones also excels in run support and seldom loses contain. However, he's undersized for a NFL cornerback and will need to add bulk.

Cyrus Jones Bio

Position: CB
School: Alabama
College Experience: Junior
Height: 5-10
Weight: 197 lbs

Strengths

• Displays excellent field vision in the return game, and will excel on special teams at the professional level.
• Possesses good ball skills and instincts, carrying over some skills as a converted wide receiver.
• Rotates hips well to stay with pass-catchers on the inside.
• Excels in run support and seldom loses contain.

Weaknesses

• Struggles immensely against larger wide receivers in all facets, lacking the physicality to contain them. Will need to bulk up to play cornerback at the professional level.
• Has an average recovery speed and panics when beaten off the line of scrimmage, leading to penalties.
• Arrested for domestic violence in April 2015. Charges were dropped, but may have tainted his reputation.
• Vertical is below average, and he'll need to work on spatial awareness to compensate for his lack of size.

Combine Results