The Washington Commanders’ defense showcased its prowess in the red zone during a recent practice against the Baltimore Ravens. While the usual stars held their ground, it was a newcomer at right end who stood out. Number 48, Andre Jones Jr., used his long arms to overpower the Ravens’ tackle and put pressure on quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jones stayed disciplined in his role but was ready to make a tackle when Jackson ran. His performance was noteworthy considering he is a seventh-round pick, lesser-known among his teammates.
Jones, a draft pick out of Louisiana-Lafayette, has a lot of potential but still has a lot to prove. In fact, he wasn’t even the first defensive end drafted by Washington this year. Despite that, Jones has consistently impressed with his speed and length. He played well in the preseason opener, getting a quarterback hit and a tackle for loss. He could potentially earn a spot in the rotation, especially in pass-rushing situations. He has even earned first-team reps alongside Montez Sweat in the absence of Chase Young.
Coach Ron Rivera praised Jones for his dynamic abilities and explosive edge rushing. Although he still has much to learn in terms of technique and the team’s scheme, Jones has caught the attention of the coaching staff. He endured a nerve-wracking wait during the NFL draft, but when he finally heard his name called, he felt an overwhelming sense of joy. In subsequent practices, his speed and spin moves have impressed his teammates, earning him more significant opportunities.
Jones finds his advantage in his long arms, which he effectively uses for pass-rushing. He acknowledges that his length can also be a challenge, as it makes it more difficult to stay low while rushing. However, he embraces his physical gifts, considering them both a blessing and a curse. His speed has always been a known attribute, although he didn’t have many opportunities to showcase it in college due to setbacks like a hamstring strain. Nonetheless, Jones is confident in his speed and knows it sets him apart.
At the end of practice, Jones no longer wore the number 48 jersey. Instead, he stood proud and excited, displaying a tattoo on his left biceps that captures his mindset: “Dream Chaser.”
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
