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Undrafted rookie free agent Jarron Jones has turned into one of the more intriguing stories for the New York Giants entering training camp. The Giants signed Jones as a defensive tackle, but in the latter days of OTAs and throughout mandatory mini-camp, Jones was lining up at offensive left tackle.
Is that a permanent position switch? During OTAs head coach Ben McAdoo would say only that Jones “is a flexible young man” and that the Giants wanted to look at him on offense. The fact that he stayed there during mini-camp is a likely indication that is where he will be during training camp.
Let’s take a closer look at Jones as we continue our player-by-player profiles of the Giants’ 90-man roster.
2016 Season In Review
Jones was a bit of an enigma at Notre Dame. The 6-foot-6, 316-pounder was considered to be a player with elite talent, but one without an elite work ethic.
In his 2017 NFL Draft Guide, Dane Brugler of CBS Sports wrote:
... He is an impressive specimen and looks like an early round pick on paper due to his measurables, movements and potential, making plays that very few at his size are able to make (see 2016 Miami game). However, Jones enters the NFL with a buyer beware tag due to his streaky production and reputation for rubbing coaches the wrong way due to his inconsistency. His unique skill-set is enticing, but he requires a strong positional coach to keep him grounded – true wildcard prospect due to his high risk/reward projection.
2017 Season Outlook
This is almost impossible to figure. We don’t know if the Giants didn’t like what they saw from Jones at defensive tackle and decided to simply let him try something else, or if they really felt he would be better off on the offensive line.
He does have the physical characteristics the Giants like in their linemen, but re-adjusting to a position he hasn’t played since high school will take time. If Jones is going to play offense, best guess is that he opens the season on the practice squad as he learns how to play tackle at an NFL level.