Steelers had formal interview with Texas CB at the NFL Scouting Combine

Even though the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine is over, news about meetings, both formal and informal, are still being released. As players have their Pro Days, media are asking who they met with at the Combine and fans are able to connect the dots between NFL organizations and prospects.

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team who likes to have control over what news is, and isn’t, released to the public, players have continued to shed light on who the team met with in Indianapolis just over a week ago.

The latest prospect to announce he had a formal interview with the Steelers was University of Texas defensive back Brandon Jones.

For those who don’t know much about what Jones brings to the team, here is a quick synopsis of his ability from his NFL Draft Profile:

Overview

He’s got a thumper’s heart but doesn’t have the frame to carry the pop necessary to handle that role. While Jones played boundary, field, and nickel safety position at Texas, he’ll likely be pegged as a two-deep or single-high free safety due to man coverage limitations but above-average speed. He plays with good urgency and has soft hands, but just average instincts, which limited his ball production. He could get pushed up a round if he’s a big tester. He has third-safety potential and offers early help on special teams.

Strengths

• Played all three safety positions for the defense
• Attacking demeanor and wants to be in the action
• Will play with pain
• Motor to pursue ball-carriers from across the field
• Displays agility and reactive athleticism as open-field tackler
• Alters pursuit angles when needed
• Speed/range to play over the top
• Runs with deep cover targets and looks for the football
• Can step into early role on kick/punt cover teams

Weaknesses

• Can be exploited in man coverage
• Needs to play with better route anticipation
• Average response time and lateral burst at break points
• Very few pass breakups during his career
• Instincts are just average
• Could have issues handling big targets on jump balls
• Doesn’t have size to stop runs in their tracks
• Can be a little slow to read and react to run from single-high

What are your thoughts as Jones as a prospect? Does he fit the Steelers’ scheme, and if so, where? Slot corner? Outside? A hybrid role? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black-and-gold this offseason.