Coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have completed rookie mini-camp, organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory mini-camp for the 2016 offseason. One player that has kept the attention of Belichick, his staff and the players is former Alabama cornerback, Cyrus Jones.
New England took Jones in the second round (60th overall pick) of the NFL Draft, after seeing his consistency from the Senior Bowl to the NFL Scouting Combine. He’s earned reps at both slot corner and punt returner during mini-camp, per Andy Hart of Patriots Football Weekly.
The 5-foot-10, 197-pound cornerback ended Thursday’s practice as one of 12 standouts from mini-camp, according to Doug Kyed of New England Sports Network. Jones intercepted a pass off Patriots’ backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in a 2-on-2 drill and has a chance to replace both Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola as New England’s primary punt returner, per Kyed.
Jones accounted for 106 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, a sack, 25 pass breakups, four forced fumbles and seven interceptions as a three-year starter on defense (2013-15) at Alabama.
His vision, fielding and elusiveness came full circle last year as a return man, as he posted 530 punt return yards and four touchdowns on 42 returns (12.62 yards/return).
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
