2023 Rookie Profile: Charlie Jones, WR

Charlie Jones exploded onto the scene in 2022 after a quiet college career up until his arrival at Purdue. He was one of the top producers in college fantasy football and arguably the most picked-up player in Campus2Canton and College fantasy leagues. After this sudden success, where does Jones fit in the NFL? 

Profile

• College: Purdue 
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 175 lbs. 
• Age: 24 yrs. (October 29, 1998)
• Year: Senior
• Hands: 9”
• Arms: 31.625”
• 40-Yard Dash: 4.43
• 10-Yard Split: 1.51
• Vertical Jump: 36.5”
• Broad Jump: 10’4”
• Bench Press: 13 Reps
• Draft Projection: Fifth – Seventh Round

College Career

Jones started at wide receiver for three years at Deerfield High School in Deerfield, Illinois. Despite good production, he garnered little interest as a two-star receiver in the Class of 2017. He committed to Buffalo, redshirted his freshman season, and caught 18 passes for 395 yards, 21.9 YPC, and scored three times. He also returned kicks that season. 

After his solid 2018, he transferred to Iowa and had to sit out 2019 due to transfer rules. He was used primarily as a punt returner in 2020 and then was more involved in 2021. The Iowa offense, not known for pushing the ball through the air, didn’t get Jones many opportunities though. He caught 21 passes for 323 yards and three TDs. He returned 37 punts and 25 kicks, scoring one TD via a kick return. 

Moving on to Purdue, Jones finally landed on an offense that would push the ball down the field and quickly established chemistry with quarterback Aidan O’Connell. He caught 110 passes for 1,361 yards and 12 scores. The 110 receptions led the NCAA, and 1,361 yards led the Big Ten. 

Strengths

Strong Hands/Play Strength

When the ball is in the air, Jones plays like an alpha receiver. He tracks the ball, high points it perfectly, and will outmuscle defensive backs. He’s tough and competitive, and it shows in every play. Jones is always scrapping when blocking and is a bully after the catch. It’s really hard not to love the blue-collar way he plays football. 

Both of these above catches showcase the hands. The effortless ability to pluck a ball out of the air is impressive. Jones does this over and over and always catches away from his body with his hands.

Run After the Catch Ability

Not only is he good after the catch, Jones understands where he needs to be to create that space to run after. He settles in spots in zones and works back to his quarterback when they are scrambling, and defensive backs always have to respect the deep ball with Jones. He sells it well, then has quick feet to get back to a ball thrown behind him. Jones isn’t a phenomenal route runner but uses paces and tempo to create separation and opportunity for him to make moves after the catch. 

Okay, Chuck! 💨 Charlie Jones with the catch and run for the touchdown! @BoilerFootball pic.twitter.com/FbntM1CKk6

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 26, 2022

Jones was open on this one, and when he’s got some green in front of him, he’s going to gather yards quickly. Most of his receptions were thrown in situations where he didn’t have much opportunity for yardage after catching the ball. When Jones had space, he’s can make people miss and then has the wheels to scoot.

Special Teams Value

A team is going to get a savvy veteran that loves to contribute on special teams too. Jones led the NCAA in punt returns in 2020, with 22, and in 2021, with 37. He was fifth in punt return yardage in 2020, with 223 yards, and sixth in 2021, with 285 yards. Jones led the Big Ten in kickoff returns, with 25, and kickoff return yards, with 635, in 2021. 

Charlie Jones was the Big 10 Return Specialist of the Year in 2021 for the Hawkeyes. pic.twitter.com/yzgSAWPFLp

— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) January 19, 2023

Jones has sure hands and has enough moves to make people miss. And then, if he creates a few misses, Jones has the speed to gather in some yardage in a hurry. 

Weaknesses

Age and Production

Ignoring everything on tape, the biggest concern is his age and the fact that he only has one year of production. Jones will be 25 this season, and athletically, he is at his ceiling. Only one season of elite wide receiver production is not ideal, even though he never played in offenses that would get him the ball. Jones had to fight to get everything he has, and I wouldn’t count him out. 

Athletic Profile

Jones’ size is good, but it isn’t perfect, and he showcased good speed at the Combine. But his release package is not very developed, and he struggles to create separation in routes. Jones doesn’t have the ability to snap off sudden moves within routes. He didn’t participate in agility drills at the Combine. I don’t think he would have been very good in those areas. Jones may be at his ceiling as an athlete and unable to develop more as a receiver in time to be productive in the NFL. 

The Wrap Up

Age be damned, I say! It’s tough to watch Chuck Sizzle on tape and not see a path to success. He’s reliable and seems to make contested catches with ease. He works really hard to get open, and even when he’s not, Jones will still make the catch more often than not.

Jones is a day-three selection, and if he lands on a team with an opportunity to play, I am targeting Jones in the third round of rookie drafts. He’s probably a slot guy but can play outside and could carve out a decent role. I see a WR3 ceiling and a flex if you need it, a player who may get you 800-900 yards a season with a smattering of TDs. Not a player who will rake in big stats, unfortunately, but a guy you love to root for.

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