Dallas Cowboys young receiver could be a breakout star
Can this small school prospect that spent last season on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad make the leap to stardom in 2017?
During the Dallas Cowboys OTA’s and minicamp last year, an unlikely name emerged. Undrafted out of Jacksonville College in Florida, wide receiver Andy Jones started to make some noise. So much, in fact, the 22-year old was expected to compete strongly to make the Cowboys final 53-man roster later that year.
Jones recorded 114 catches for 2,120 yards and 17 touchdowns during his 41 games playing for the I-AA program out of the FCS’ Pioneer Football League. In his senior year, he posted 60 receptions for 890 yards and eight scores.
NFL scouts really first took notice of the raw receiver at Florida’s Pro Day, as he ran a 4.53 forty, posted a 40 and a half inch vertical and a 10-foot-7 broad jump. And it was those physical traits that landed Jones in Dallas, a team that did not draft a single receiver in 2016.
The 6-foot-1, 222 pound small school prospect received a signing bonus of $15,000, the highest among his 13 undrafted peers last offseason. And that investment appeared to pay off immediately as players as well as fans saw flashes of Jones’ potential through training camp. Jones even started seeing snaps with the first team offense.
MUST READ: The Dallas Cowboys must sign this free agent
But being in the NFL seemed too big for the small school star, as he expressed bewilderment at the fact his towels featured his number on them. Dropped passes and inconsistent play during the preseason ended up being Jones’ undoing.
In the preseason finale alone, Jones was targeted a team-high seven times. But he was only able to haul-in two of those passes for 15 yards. The young receiver recorded a total of six receptions for 50 yards during four preseason games for the Cowboys in 2016. The 22-year old’s confidence seemed to melt away under the bright lights of that big stage.
Jones was released by the Cowboys during final roster cuts in early September. After passing through waivers, he was signed to Dallas’ practice squad.
With a new season on the horizon, and both receivers Terrance Williams and Brice Butler free agents, one Cowboys insider believes this could be a great opportunity for Jones to step up.
"“Prescott is likely not going to have all his receivers here this Spring so working with the guys that are here is important. Bryant and Beasley but more importantly a guy like Andy Jones,” football analyst Bryan Broaddus responded to a mailbag question on the team’s official website. “This squad is going to need someone like Jones to step up and make this team. Chemistry with these guys will be huge going into training. Can’t be behind there going into the season.”"
Next: Top 10 Undrafted Free Agents in Dallas Cowboys History
If Andy Jones can earn a place on the Dallas Cowboys’ roster this upcoming season, it would only enhance an already terrific draft class that has produced players like quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott. With other delayed rookies like defensive end Charles Tapper and linebacker Jaylon Smith also expected to make an impact, the 2016 NFL Draft could represent a major changing of the guard for America’s Team that has positive ripple effects on the franchise for years to come.