Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones proved Saturday that he belongs at the top of the first round with Georgia's A.J. Green.
Jones lined up most of the game against LSU junior cornerback Patrick Peterson, widely recognized as the best cornerback in America. Jones excelled.
ESPN's Scouts Inc. has Jones listed as a fringe first-round player, but he proved the exact opposite. On the game, he had a tough 89 yards on 10 receptions with a touchdown.
Julio Jones cements himself as early first round NFL Draft pick
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Many of Jones’ catches came on slants that Peterson couldn’t figure out how to defend. Jones’ most impressive play came in the first half. Quarterback
threw the ball to Jones’ outside shoulder.
He threw it a little too far outside and Jones had to use his body control to readjust and stretch back outside to make the catch away from his frame. It’s the kind of catch Jones might not have been able to make in the past.
Jones has also shown much better route running this season. Add those things to already very good hands and solid strength and Jones is cementing himself near the top of the first round.
To consider him anything else at this point is foolish.
So what does this game say for Peterson? Not much. Don’t forget, when he matched up against Jones in 2009, all seven targets were incompletions.
It is somewhat troubling that Peterson was beaten several times on slants. But those same completions also showed his solid tackling skills. He should still be considered a top five player.
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