Texas Football: 2020 NFL Mock Draft for former Longhorns
Third name off the board: Brandon Jones, Safety
The best defensive prospect in this draft class among the former Longhorns is 6-foot and 205 pound former All-Big 12 safety Brandon Jones. There’s a really good chance that Jones will be the first of two former Longhorns defensive players that’s selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. And neither is likely to get taken off draft boards before day three.
What added to the middling draft stock of Jones was the fact that he didn’t compete in the Senior Bowl, or the showcase week of drills leading up to that game, and that he only interviewed at the NFL Combine. Due to nagging injury issues, Jones declined the chance to compete in the Senior Bowl and at least get tested in drills at the NFL Combine.
Jones did more than enough over the course of the last two years with the Texas secondary to prove that he belongs as a safety at the next level. He registered 156 total tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, three interceptions, five pass deflections, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries, in just 22 games played in the last two years combined.
The versatility and closing speed that Jones brings to the table should ensure that he has a lengthy NFL career. But he would be considered one of those high floor but low ceiling type of prospects. There’s not much about what Jones showed in college or through the draft scouting process that instills confidence that he will be a star in the NFL.