Should The Chargers Consider Chandler Jones In First Round?

Photo via Chandler Jones Instagram (@ChanJones99)

I seriously just decided to write this post because I liked the photo that Chandler Jones (Jonny “Bones” Jones) posted of his brother’s championship belt. Other than Chandler having a championship bro, he has been skyrocketing up some draft boards and there have been some mocks with the Chargers selecting him with the 18th pick.

Here is what Pro Football Weekly has to say about him:

Positives:Has outstanding size with rare arm length to disrupt a quarterback’s vision. Plays big. Uses his hands with violence. Swats blockers out of the way with a strong club move and has power in his body. Good quickness off the ball. Plays with good balance and protects himself from cut blocks. Above-average anchor strength — can stack the corner. Takes long strides, flattens down the line and closes fast. Good effort and energy — keeps working to come free. Has NFL pedigree.

Negatives:Lacks elite edge burst. Average lateral agility (reflected in shuttle times at the Combine). Tends to play a bit upright and could expand his pass-rush repertoire. Is not an explosive tackler. Bench-pressed 225 pounds only 22 times at the Combine and must continue to get stronger to set the edge in a 3-4 front. Average career sack production -— only has 10 career sacks.

Summary:Highly athletic, vine-armed, havoc-wreaking pass rusher with rare dimensions and a developing frame to fill out and become a pass-rushing force. Scouts have compared him to Arizona Cardinals 2008 second-round pick Calais Campbell, yet he offers even more intriguing versatility, with potential to disrupt from either side and grow into a stout anchor.

Mike Mayock recently said this about the kid:

“the more tape I watch of him the more I’m convinced he’s a solid mid round DE. He can get to the QB. I like him more than Coples, getting to the point where I like him more than Upshaw. I like him better than Mercilus”

Jones might be available in the second round, but there has been a lot of talk of him rising to the middle of the first round now. He has a lot of potential, but should we take that risk with our first pick in the draft?

He didn’t have he production that you would like to see from a first round pick. I would pass on him in the first round, but if he is available when we come back to pick in round 2, then I would love to have him.

Would you take him in the first round?