Jarvis Jones
Jarvis Jones was one of the most productive players in college football in 2012. He lined up all over the field to create the most advantageous match-ups to rush the passer. A long armed athlete, he plays faster and better than he works out in shorts. He can run sideline to sideline to make plays. An impact player, he makes things happen. He is a downhill player who is explosive off the edge and has the quickness to slip blocks. Intense, competitive, and tough he tallied 85 tackles last year including 24.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks. Jones looks like a prototype Steeler linebacker, and hopefully he will recover from hamstring issues in mini camp and OTAs. Le’Veon Bell should flourish in the Steelers’ outside zone running scheme. Durable and athletic, he graded out as our 4th best athlete out of 34 backs who competed at the Combine. He’s been impressive in OTAs as a downhill runner. He has the size, strength, and mentality to be a workhorse type back if needed. Bell led the country in yards after contact last season. He possesses soft hands and the ability to catch all receiver pass routes. A steller type back, he will compete with Jonathan Dwyer for carries. Markus Wheaton has missed OTAs due to the NFL’s class graduation rule. Once the gear comes on in training camp, Pittsburgh will find out that the third round choice has Mike Wallace qualities. A speed receiver he can win in transition. He has instant acceleration and explosiveness up the field after catch. He runs sharp routes with good body control and ease of movement. Sudden in and out of his breaks, he is competitive at the ball but just needs work with Ben Roethlisberger. Shamarko Thomas was a targeted player that the Steelers traded a 2014 3rd round pick to the Browns for a 2013 4th round pick to draft him. Thomas is a Bob Sanders’ clone as a physical and explosive run support safety with good coverage skills. Quick to read and react, he is instinctive and has positive reactions and footwork in coverage. Thomas has good quickness, agility, and balance. He will be groomed at both free and strong safety this year as Ryan Clark turns 34-years old this fall. Landry Jones threw for over 16,000 yards in his career for 123 touchdowns and 52 interceptions. He completed 1388 passes with a completion rate of 63.6%. He fits the Steelers because of experience in an offense that blends a downhill running game with play action passes. A work in progress, Jones was a horizontal passer for the Sooners, rarely throwing vertical down the field. Terry Hawthorne missed OTAs to have surgery to remove bone chips in his knee. He has the athletic ability to compete for a 2nd or 3rd corner position. He can run with any receiver. Quick off the turn, he has loose hips, good burst, and catch up speed. A confident competitor, he plays the ball in the air. He needs to become more consistent playing the ball down the field. Justin Brown is familiar with Landry Jones because he caught 66 passes from him at Oklahoma last fall. He transferred from Penn State to get involved in a passing offense to show off his receiving skills. A big receiver at 6031, 207, he will compete as a punt returner as well as a receiver. Last fall he averaged 13.6 yards on 22 returns. He has good hands and consistency. Inside linebacker Vince Williams brings energy and athletic ability to the Steeler defense. Physical and aggressive, he has good initial read versus run, good downhill shuffle, and reactions. He is explosive taking on blocks with good separation and shed ability. At Florida State he excelled on special teams’ coverage and should contribute here for the Steelers. Nicholas Williams is a former basketball player who is still learning the game. He was our top rated athletic defensive end at the Combine. He has an explosive first step and is more proficient at stopping the run than rushing the passer at this point. He has long arms and big hands to control the blocker. A developmental prospect, he possesses good athletic tools but may be salted away on the practice squad. GRADE: GOOD.
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