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NFL1000: Rookie Review from Week 14
- Updated: December 16, 2016
After watching Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Deion Jones through his rookie season, I had to adjust my expectations on a weekly basis because Jones was developing so well in head coach Dan Quinn’s defense.
A lighter, faster linebacker as opposed to a run-stopping bruiser, the 6’1″, 222-pound Jones had a few issues with field-reading and recognition early in the season. There were times when he’d outrun his knowledge and have to recover.
But his learning curve has been impressive, especially over the last month. He’s now been the NFL1000’s top rookie in two of the last three weeks. Against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, it all came together.
He returned an interception of a Jared Goff pass 33 yards for a touchdown—but he is about more than splash and flash. Watch how he diagnoses the route concept and the coverage, and watch how his coverage abilities allow the Falcons staff to roll defensive backs around him and align in more versatile coverages, and you begin to see his overall value.
Whether it’s sticking his nose in to stop the run, demolishing receivers on quick screens or dropping into coverage from the middle to the numbers, Jones has matched his athleticism with …
