2015 Draft Sleepers: A Scouts Eye View, Matt Jones RB Florida

Matt Jones RB Florida 6'1 235 (Jr)

Combine Results: 4.61 40 yard dash, 20 bench reps, 31.5" vertical jump, 112" broad jump, 4.20 20 yard shuttle

Scouting Notes: Big back, taller than you'd prefer but runs with a good low pad level...Impressive combination of size and speed, a smooth athlete with smooth acceleration, gets to top speed quickly, especially for a bigger running back, he's an attacking runner who exploits creases in the defense with authority...Impressive strength from head to toe, downhill north/south runner who does a great job of keeping his legs driving at the point of attack, keeps his feet moving, Rarely goes down on first contact bounces off tackles and runs through arm tackles, finishes his runs hard lowers his shoulder, initiates the blow and finishes with a good forward lean, picks up that hidden yardage with his length combined by consistently finishing forward...Looks to get every inch out of every carry, won't go down without a fight and won't go out of bounds voluntarily, a violent and punishing ball carrier...More suddenness and better lateral quickness and agility than most scouts give him credit for, doesn't have too much wiggle, but he's not completely tight hipped, has pretty good feet for a 6'1 235 pound running back...Does a nice job utilizing the stiff arm...Soild instincts and good vision...Looks capable of being a three down back if asked, wasn't asked to catch the football much at Florida but appears capable when called upon...Solid in pass protection, typically looks to submarine oncoming blitzers but not reluctant to stick his nose in...Was never really asked to be a bellcow running back at Florida so he's a bit undervalued and under the radar due to a lack of eye catching statistics and should have more tread left on the tires than most backs entering the league, though he has endured two knee surgeries, the first of which was in high school and the last if which took place in 2013...One of the top sleepers in a deep 2015 class of running backs, Jones has an intriguing combination of size and speed, and could be a physical and effective north/south one cut runner at the NFL level whose best football is still in front of him.