Jonathan Jones (American football)

Jonathan J. Jones (born September 20, 1993) is an American football cornerback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Auburn and signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2016.[1]

Jonathan Jones
Jones in the 2017 NFL season.
No. 31 – New England Patriots
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1993-09-20) September 20, 1993
Carrollton, Georgia
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school:Carrollton (Carrollton, Georgia)
College:Auburn
Undrafted:2016
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2020
Total tackles:241
Sacks:2.5
Forced fumbles:5
Fumble recoveries:2
Interceptions:6
Pass deflections:30
Player stats at NFL.com

High school career

As a junior in high school in 2011, Jones was one of the top high school hurdlers in the country. He placed third in the New Balance Nationals and then won the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics National Championship in the 110-meter hurdles.[2]

College career

Jones was a four-year starter at cornerback at Auburn, he saw his first action as a true freshman in 2012. In August 2013, Jones broke his ankle and played in only five games his sophomore season. In 2014, he earned second-team All-SEC notice and was ninth in the nation with six interceptions and 17 passes defended, he would again earn second-team All-SEC notice during his 2015 senior year.[3] He had 129 career tackles and seven interceptions in his four years with the Tigers.[4]

Professional career

Jones was projected to be a fourth or fifth round draft pick by NFL draft experts and analysts, but went undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft possibly due to his lack of height, despite an impressive combine, being a top performer at the 40-yard dash and bench press.[5]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand size40-yard dash20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
5 ft 9 1⁄8 in
(1.76 m)		 186 lb
(84 kg)		 30 1⁄4 in
(0.77 m)		 8 3⁄4 in
(0.22 m)		4.33 s4.25 s7.25 s36 in
(0.91 m)		10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)		19 reps
All values from NFL Combine.[6]

2016

On May 1, 2016, the New England Patriots signed Jones to a three-year, $1.63 million contract as an undrafted free agent that included a signing bonus of $10,000.[7]

He had a strong training camp and preseason edging out fellow undrafted rookie Cre'Von LeBlanc and 2015 seventh-round pick Darryl Roberts for the final cornerback spot on the Patriots 53-man roster thanks to his special teams contributions.[8] Jones saw his first game action in the Patriots season opener against the Arizona Cardinals and recorded a tackle.[9]

In Week 14 against the Ravens, Jones stopped a punt from entering the endzone, pinning the Ravens' offense on the 1-yard line. On the next play, defensive tackle Malcom Brown tackled Ravens' running back Kenneth Dixon in the backfield, resulting in a safety.[10]

On February 5, 2017, Jones was part of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl LI. In the game, the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 34–28 in overtime.[11]

2017

In 2017, Jones played in all 16 regular-season games with four starts as the team's nickel cornerback and core special teamer. In Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Jones intercepted Philip Rivers in the final seconds of the game to close out a 21-13 win. In the divisional round of the playoffs, Jones suffered an ankle injury and was placed on injured reserve on January 17, 2018.[12] The Patriots still made it to Super Bowl LII, but lost 41-33 to the Philadelphia Eagles.

2018

In the AFC Championship Game for the 2018 season, held on January 20, 2019, the speedy Jones was utilized by the Patriots to shut down the Kansas City Chiefs' Tyreek Hill, who is also known for his speed. Jones was able to match the speed of Hill, and Hill was only targeted three times by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, finishing the game with just one catch. Jones was credited as a 'big reason why' the Patriots beat the Chiefs and secured a spot in Super Bowl LIII.[13] The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams, 13–3, to give Jones his second Super Bowl championship.

2019
Jones in a game against the Washington Redskins

On March 12, 2019, the Patriots placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on March 12, 2019.[14]

On April 15, 2019, Jones re-signed with the Patriots on a one-year deal.[15]

On September 7, 2019, Jones signed a three-year, $21 million contract extension with the Patriots, keeping him under contract through the 2023 season.[16] In week 8 against the Cleveland Browns, Jones forced a fumble off running back Nick Chubb which was recovered by teammate Devin McCourty in the 27-13 win.[17]

2020

In Week 6 against the Denver Broncos, Jones recorded his first interception of the season off a pass thrown by Drew Lock during the 18–12 loss.[18]

NFL career statistics
Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high

Regular season
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCombSoloAstSackIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFR
2016NE 161141040.0000.000111
2017NE 164443951.0166.060801
2018NE 1655644121.533411.3240710
2019NE 1595338150.0000.000820
Career6319167131362.544010.02402442

[19]

References
  1. Jonathan Jones starting to grow on Patriots
  2. Daniels, Mark (November 25, 2017). "Undaunted by adversity, Patriots' Jones ready for prime time". ProvidenceJournal.com.
  3. http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/jonathan-jones?id=2555325
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 9, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/jonathan-jones?id=2555325
  6. "NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Jonathan Jones". NFL.com.
  7. "Spotrac.com: Jonathan Jones contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  8. Buchmasser, Bernd (September 5, 2016). "RB D.J. Foster, CB Jonathan Jones latest undrafted rookies to make the Patriots' 53-man roster". PatsPulpit.com.
  9. Cox, Zack (September 12, 2016). "Bill Belichick Lauds Jonathan Jones, Patriots' Kick Coverage After Dramatic Win". NESN.com.
  10. Princiotti, Nora (December 15, 2016). "Patriots' Jonathan Jones excelled in punt coverage Monday". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  11. "Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  12. "Patriots Re-Sign WR Bernard Reedy; Place DB Jonathan Jones on Injured Reserve". Patriots.com. January 17, 2018.
  13. Inabinett, Mark (January 22, 2019). "Jonathan Jones 'big reason why' Patriots won AFC title". Al.com. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  14. Crabtree, Curtis (March 12, 2019). "Report: Patriots place restricted tenders on Josh Gordon, Jonathan Jones". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  15. Bouda, Nate (April 15, 2019). "Patriots Re-Sign RFA CB Jonathan Jones".
  16. Reed, Russ. "Patriots, 2-time Super Bowl champion agree to contract extension, according to report". WCVB.com. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  17. "Belichick wins 300th, perfect Patriots beat Browns 27-13". www.espn.com. October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  18. "Denver Broncos at New England Patriots - October 18th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  19. "Jonathan Jones Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
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