The Emergence of Rookie CB Jaylon Jones
The Indianapolis Colts selected CB Jaylon Jones with the 221st pick of the 7th-round pick. Typically, 7th-round picks have an uphill battle to making their team's 53-man roster. But Jones' play through camp and the preseason earned him a spot on the Colts 53-man roster, and looks to have carved out a legit rotational role […]
The Indianapolis Colts selected CB Jaylon Jones with the 221st pick of the 7th-round pick.
Typically, 7th-round picks have an uphill battle to making their team's 53-man roster.
But Jones' play through camp and the preseason earned him a spot on the Colts 53-man roster, and looks to have carved out a legit rotational role with the team.
I spoke with a team source about the emergence of Jaylon Jones, and they spoke to the Incredible impression the rookie CB has left on the team so far:
"When you watch this kid, it's laughable that 200+ people heard their name called in the draft ahead of him. He's smart, he's physical, and his want to be great is off the charts. This guy is going to be known as the steal of the 2023 NFL Draft for years to come, no doubt in my mind."
Yesterday when Colts GM Chris Ballard spoke to the media, a lot of the talking points centered around topics that, to quote Ballard, "sucked." Those topics being the ongoing situation between RB Jonathan Taylor and the Colts.
Which made it notable anytime a topic would lead to Ballard smiling and speaking with an enthusiastic tone. No topic seemed to bring that out of Chris Ballard more than any moment he got to talk about rookie CB Jaylon Jones.
One of the tough cuts made by the Colts was to waive Jones' fellow rookie CB 5th-round pick Darius Rush. When Ballard was asked about what led the team to make that move, he answered with:
"That was hard, Jaylon Jones (was the reason). We would have had to keep 7 corners."
Jones' play has earned him so much confidence in the building that the team risked losing a high-upside player like Rush to waivers, a risk that would end up with Rush being claimed by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ballard spoke on Jones directly during yesterday's press conference, and you can already see the level of belief that the Colts GM has in the rookie:
"Our scout Anthony Coughlan fought like a dog for us to take him, I'm not going to lie to you I had my doubts. But Anthony pressed and pressed, and we took him, and Anthony was right. This kid is going to be good, like really freaking good."
Jones earned his roster spot and seems to have earned playing time. It will be interesting to watch Jones and his development throughout the 2023 regular season.
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Featured Image By: Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
