What the Vikings can expect from DE Patrick Jones II in 2021
By Adam Carlson
The Bad
Play recognition
Although he gets off the ball well, Patrick Jones II sometimes needs a moment to make sure he knows where the ball is going. That slight hesitation has cost him at times, making the difference between a sack and a hurry at the college level.
This is even more of a hindrance against a mobile quarterback. A play-action bootleg can freeze Jones and leave contain open if the quarterback keeps the ball. If he can read and react with the same kind of speed he uses off the snap, he could be a monster of a sack artist.
Plays a bit stiff
While Jones is very good at what he does, he can get awkward if he is pushed on blocks and needs to re-establish his balance and momentum. He seems to reset himself rather than adjust, losing time on the play that could be spent moving toward the quarterback.
In a league where every split second counts, moving in the right direction and having constant pursuit is key. He can expect to be running a lot of balance drills in camp, which should help address this issue.