Defensive back Jarrian Jones brings positive attitude, ready to make impact for Jaguars (2024)

When the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Jarrian Jones in the third round of last month’s NFL Draft, the emotions were evident.

After receiving the phone call letting him know he’d be a member of the Jaguars, the Florida State defensive back let out a passionate scream.

It was the type of reaction you’d see after a game-changing play. Maybe after a pass deflection or interception during a crucial moment.

And it’s the type of reaction fans can get used to seeing from the versatile defender as he begins his professional journey with the team he was hoping to be with.

“It was one of those things where I wanted to be here so bad,” Jones said during the opening day of rookie minicamp. “When I got the call, it was just like, ‘Whoa, that's crazy.’”

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Jones was selected No. 96 in the draft and can immediately slot in as the starting nickel in defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen’s scheme. But Jones also has the skillset to lineup anywhere in the secondary — a valued attribute when defending rapidly evolving offenses.

“The numbers of corners and nickels drafted in recent years, it's on the rise. Really, everything that we do, we kind of have to see how it affects the run game, but really more so how it affects the passing game,” assistant general manager Ethan Waugh said when asked about Jones. “A guy who can go inside out gives us more flexibility, as offenses move their slots and big guys around, having that flexibility is key.”

‘Put my own swag on it’: Jones not phased by comparison, ready to be himself

A good example of a defensive back with skills to move around the secondary is someone who’s familiar to Jaguars fans: Former first-round pick Jalen Ramsey.

In fact, Jones is the first Seminole drafted by Jacksonville since Ramsey was selected in the 2016 NFL Draft. According to Jones, there’s a prototype for Florida State defensive backs and he fits the mold.

“Speaking of Jalen and just coming from Florida State, it’s a way that we play football. It's a way of life,” Jones said. “Everyone that comes from Florida State, you’re getting man (coverage) DBs. You get DBs that are physical, they play football.

“It's not luck that he came and did what he did. I definitely want to follow in his footsteps but kind of put my own swag on it.”

Part of putting his own swag on the mold is him being unapologetically himself. The same player that blew away scouts and coaches during the local pro day is the same player Jones strives to be on a daily.

He’s the person who’ll bring the energy on a daily and not someone who coaches will have to “kick them in the side,” as general manager Trent Baalke noted on draft night.

“There's no pressure. I have no fear,” Jones said. “I just wake up every day and just be me. Everybody got their own role. It's a lot of different ways to be great.”

Inside or out? Jones’ mindset is built for both

There was a time where the most valued player in the secondary was the boundary corner, the player who could be placed on an island and take away opposing receivers.

But as the game has evolved, so has the defensive back position. Now, the most valuable player is one who can contribute in multiple ways.

Whether that’s lining up in the slot or outside. Near the line of scrimmage or playing off. And Jones says he has the skillset — and the mindset — to be that for the Jaguars.

“I personally feel that there's nothing that I really can't do,” he said. “I look at myself as a football player, like I'm a Swiss Army Knife. I work on everything that entails to be a DB, whether it be from slot, outside, I work on the total package of it all.”

Jones did a little bit of everything for the Seminoles during his time with them. He had 96 total tackles, 12 pass deflections, five sacks and two fumble recoveries in his collegiate career while displaying his versatility.

According to Pro Football Focus, Jones lined up in the slot 394 times during the 2023 season while only having 29 reps from corner. But in his first two years at FSU, he had more than 700 reps at corner and less than 25 from the slot.

He's currently projecting to be the starting nickel in Jacksonville, but by the time the season starts this fall, he could find himself elsewhere in the secondary. It’s a challenge he’s ready for.

“There’s a difference from playing outside or inside, but there’s also similarities,” Jones said. “[I’m] just working on the broad scheme of just being a DB.”

Juston Lewis is a Jacksonville Jaguars beat reporterfor the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on the website formerly known as Twitter at@JustonLewis_.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jarrian Jones could be used in multiple ways for Jacksonville Jaguars