Cam Jones Scouting Report: Cam Jones NFL Draft Profile
Linebacker, Indiana Hoosiers, # 43
2023 NFL Draft Measurements
Cam Jones 40 time: Estimated 4.65-4.75
6’ 3” / 229 lbs
Cam Jones NFL Draft Profile
With the 2023 Reeses Senior Bowl on the horizon, I wanted to look at some of the players who will be taking the field in Mobile. After being impressed by Oregon State CB Rejzohn Wright, Indiana’s 5th year linebacker Cam Jones comes next. Jones manned the middle of the Hoosier’s defense to start 2022 after playing weakside linebacker years previous.
Unfortunately, Jones suffered a season ending foot injury against Nebraska on October 1st. Up to that point of the season he had recorded 54 tackles, 24 of which were solo. He also added 1 sack, 1 FF, and 1 FR in that span. Jones was on pace to record over 100 tackles. Jones now will suit up in the Senior Bowl and attempt to regain some of the momentum he was building prior to his injury.
Prior to attending Indiana, Jones played his high school ball at Saint Benedict at Auburndale High School. He would be All-State two times and team MVP two times as well. On top of that, he would be named the All-State special teams player of the year all four years. That would lead to him earning a 3 star ranking via 247sports, and an invite to the East-West All-Star Classic where he would lead his squad in tackles, a bit of foreshadowing.
Cam Jones Strengths
Run Stopper
When watching game film, it didn’t take long to realize Jones has a nose for the football in the run game. He consistently eats up running backs at the line and in the scrum. He does a great job of staying in his gap and playing his assignment before reacting and taking down the ball carrier. His ability to read and react when playing down hill is tremendous and will come in handy when trying to stop the run at the next level.
Although I see this as a strength, there are times he can be eaten up by bigger interior offensive lineman. He needs to work on shedding those blocks to improve. If a team decides to add him to their roster, they would still be smart to have a a DT who eats up blockers.
Leadership and High Character
Did I already mention that Jones was voted team captain not once, not twice, but three times? That should alone tell you that he is a good leader and not afraid to take the reins. In today’s NFL these qualities continue to become more and more sought after.
When he is on the field, he does a good job trying to orchestrate the defense and communicating both pre and post snap. You will see him communicating to other defenders to switch assignments on crossing patterns over the middle.
Off the field, he is a man of character and even after his injury you could find him helping the community. Jones would set up a coat drive for the less fortunate outside the stadium just this last winter. Jones said:
“The path that I go to take home, I always see a lot of homeless and unfortunate people outside, and I know that the weather is getting cold and I wanted to do something good for my community, with the help of my team.”
During his 2021 season he would also win the prestigious Howard Brown award given to the player who most exemplifies dedication to the program at Indiana.
Instincts
This one is a bit of a catch 22, because I belive he plays with his instincts when coming down hill and making plays in the run game incredibly well. So I want to make more notice of that. Jones is the type of guy you would want on the field on 4th and 1 when you need the linebacker to shut down the run. He can even lay a pretty good hit on the ball carrier for someone that isn’t too big. However, one could mention this as a weakness in the pass game. We will talk about that later.
Tackling
This one is a no brainer for linebackers, yet too many of them are declining in this realm. Jones does not fall into that category. He wraps up and stays low on contact allowing him to secure the ball carrier and take them down at the point of contact. You rarely, if ever, see him make a tackle while falling backwards and has some hit power for his size. In closing, he is just a damn good tackler who a coach can trust to make the play.
Cam Jones Weaknesses
Potentially Limited Ceiling
Jones was gaining some draft recognition last offseason, but chose to return to school for his extra year of eligibility. That being said, he is now 24 years old. Many scouts will look at that and think he has reached his full potential. They may look to younger players with potentially higher ceilings. This could drive Jones down some teams draft boards.
Pass Defense
One might look into Jones and see that he was originally a two way athlete and a safety when coming to a college campus. Those facts may lead you to believe Jones would stand out in pass defense, but that’s not the case. He shows an occasional glimpse of that ability like he did against Western Kentucky when he made a diving deflection in the end zone. He will also show you the other side of that a few plays later when he allows Western Kentucky’s tight end to run past him like he is stuck in cement for an easy touchdown.
NFL teams would be best to not ask him to play man against running backs or tight ends. Although, he may be serviceable in zone as an underneath defender.
Agility and Change of Direction
Jones relys on his instincts to make the play. He struggles to flip his hips and change directions. Thus, meaning if his instincts fail him, he is left a step behind the play. Jones doesn’t have the fluidness to redirect and chase down a play. He also can take bad angles against faster backs. Yet somehow, he still seems to make a diving tackle when it matters.
Cam Jones Draft Stock
Jones’ injury has hurt his draft stock a lot. He suffered a foot injury, but we don’t know exactly what it was at this point. Obviously NFL teams will know before the draft. Jones could really help himself at the Senior Bowl with a strong week of practices and a good showing in the game.
According to NFLmockdraftdatabase, Jones is currently projected as a 7th rounder and ranked 252nd overall. One can see that before his injury he was mocked as a fourth rounder on average. As of now, I would feel comfortable taking him on day three, but when is the question? I think he could be an early day three player with a strong showing in Mobile, but if he falters, he will probably remain a seventh rounder at best. A team that truly values special teams may see him as a gem in that realm and jump a bit sooner, like the Patriots.
Final Thoughts on Cam Jones Scouting Report
As my fellow analyst Brandon pointed out in his recent Will Levis Report, some players just lack the “It” factor. I think that’s what Jones lacked for me. He looks great against the run, but needs to improve against the pass. 20 years ago he would have been perfect for the NFL and probably been a second rounder like the player I compare him too later. Yet, in today’s NFL, I see him as a 2 down backer to begin. Based off of his history with special teams, he could be elite in that realm. I would be okay with him in round four or five if he can show he is healthy.
Cam Jones Player Comparison
It took me watching one full game of him against Cincinnati to liken him to Demeco Ryans whose name is everywhere lately. Jones is the same size and build and will probably test about the same. Both were great playing downhill against the run, but needed work in the passing game coming out of college. Unfortunately for Jones, the game has changed and the passing game reigns supreme. He will not be a second rounder like Ryans. If you need a newer age comparison, I’d say Shaq Thompson of the Panthers.
Cam Jones Scouting Report Analyst-Ken Noble.
