Washington cornerback Sidney Jones — a projected first-round pick in next month’s draft, appeared to suffer an Achilles injury during his Pro Day on Saturday, according to Eric Edholm of Yahoo! Sports. Jones is believed to ruptured his Achilles, which could sideline him for 8-12 months.
Jones was ranked among the top-five cornerback prospects by nearly every draft evaluator — Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN.com placed Jones fourth behind Marshon Lattimore (Ohio State), Teez Tabor (Florida), and Tre’Davious White (LSU). An Achilles injury, which was devastatingly suffered on the final rep on the day, per Edholm, would almost assuredly force Jones to slip out of Day 1 one of the draft given that he’ll spend most (or all) of his rookie season on the PUP list.
Jones started 30 games during his career as a Huskie. In 2016, he put up 39 tackles, two interceptions, six passes defensed in 14 games.
So, will we see future prospects skipping pro days, just like some already skip the combine?
If they skipped the combine, probably not because then they would have no measurements to boost their stock. If a player had a really good combine, and doesn’t think they could look better at their pro day, I could see it happening.
Tough break for this talented young man. Hopefully he can fully recover and end up being a 2nd day stud in a few years. I would love the Packers to pick him up if he’s available at pick 90. But that’s still highly unlikely unless he continues to fall on draft boards across the league
I think he’ll be there. 8-12 months is a season ending injury before the season starts. He doesn’t come with the pedigree of someone like Jaylen Smith (LB from Notre Dame who the Cowboys took). I could see him being selected in the 5th-7th rounds though. Would atleast guarantee his rights and I think teams get a comp pick the following year (or year after) if a player they draft doesn’t play due to injury.
Looking like a comp 3rd round pick.
Won’t get past the end of the 2nd. The reason the teams at the end of the draft r consistently in the playoffs is because they make picks like Sidney Jones a CB1 ceiling CB2 floor guy.
This is the almost the worst type of injury for an athlete to have. For as long as I have watched sports, I have never seen a player come back with the same level of athletic ability as prior to an injured achilles. He is young enough that he will surely come back and play, but his ability to cut and explode of the the injured foot will suffer. I will actually be surprised for any team to take a chance on him any sooner than the end of the 3rd round and it wouldn’t shock me to see him in the 5th – 7th round range.
Myles Jack and Jaylen Smith proved everyone wrong last year. Smith is wearing a brace that’s never been worn in football to come back. I’ll take an achellies over nerve damage in the knee and a degenerative knee that those 2 have. Jack and Smith have career shorting injuries. He’s got to redshirt a year. As a 22ish year old.
I think it comes down to where NFL GM’s will put their draft resources. I was also surprised with the Smith and Jacks going as high as they did. But with a position like corner, the ability to compete with receives that all the recent rule changes favor is based on quick twitch explosion and change of direction. Losing even a half a step is the difference in the playing in the NFL and playing in the CFL. As a Lions fan I saw it first hand with a corner they drafted in the top 5, Bryant Westbrook. Before rupturing his Achilles, he was a promising young corner. After the injury, he was out of the league within a year following rehab. Definitely not wishing that on Jones and I hope medical advancements can help him get back to what he was athletically but I haven’t seen it so far. But like Smith and Jack, it only takes one GM to be willing to take a chance so you never know.