Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue: 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Charlie Jones is one of the most underrated wide receiver prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. After a breakout 2022 with Purdue, when will Jones hear his name called in April?

Name: Charlie Jones

School: Purdue (formerly Iowa & Buffalo)

Position: Wide Receiver

Age: 24 (Oct. 29, 1998)

Height: 6-foot-flat*

Weight: 188 pounds*

(*unofficial)

Charlie Jones 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background

Charlie Jones is a born and raised resident of Deerfield, Illinois. He starred for the high school football team as a wide receiver and a return man on special teams. Even with such success at the amateur level, Jones fielded offers from lower-tier college programs.

https://twitter.com/bigtennetwork/status/1599849842410405889?s=61&t=3jxbpqfxb-JkizEVXntrSQ

Jones committed to the University at Buffalo to continue his playing career. He redshirted as a true freshman before playing sparingly in 2018 as a receiver and special teamer. Following the season, Jones announced a transfer to Iowa, where he would become a walk-on and have to earn his way onto the roster.

He did exactly that, as Jones won the starting role as the team’s punt returner. The former two-star recruit turned this opportunity into a Second Team All-Big Ten selection on special teams. He also earned a scholarship for the remainder of his collegiate career.

In his second season at Iowa, Jones performed at an even higher clip. He took home the Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year and earned a spot on the First Team All-Big Ten team as a returner. Perhaps the most exciting part of the 2021 season was Jones seeing more of the field as a receiver.

After two successful seasons with the Hawkeyes, Jones announced his transfer to another Big Ten program — this time, the Purdue Boilermakers. With Purdue, Jones finally broke out on the national scene.

Jones became an unguardable threat at receiver in 2022. He posted a program-record 1,361 receiving yards, along with 110 catches and 12 trips to the end zone. This success earned Jones another First Team All-Big Ten selection, but his first time as a wideout.

Few in the 2023 NFL Draft provide as safe of a floor as Charlie Jones brings to the league. At a minimum, an NFL team is getting a top-tier kick returner. However, there is more to Jones than that. This detailed scouting report highlights why the Purdue star will be a steal in April.

Strengths

•Special Teams Versatility – Charlie Jones first burst onto the collegiate scene as a return specialist for Buffalo and Iowa. Jones can step in and serve the same role as a rookie in the NFL. He brings loads of experience and will earn the trust of his new coaching staff in short order.

•Separation – One thing that is apparent when you turn on Jones’ tape from 2022: he is always open. The Boilermaker wideout averaged 8.5 receptions per game and eclipsed the 100-yard mark eight times, including an astonishing Big Ten championship performance that saw Jones post a 13-catch, 162-yard stat line vs. the vaunted Michigan defense.

https://twitter.com/247sports/status/1565533507681746944?s=61&t=3jxbpqfxb-JkizEVXntrSQ

•Nuanced Route Runner – To piggyback on the last section, Jones is a crafty and polished route runner. He displays fluid hips, zero wasted motion, clean breaks out of the route, and the ability to sit down in zone coverage and shred defenses. This proficiency and refinement should result in instant contributions as a rookie.

•Ability After Catch – Jones gets the label as a possession receiver, but I believe that sells him short. Thanks to his long history as a return specialist, Jones sees holes before they form. He trusts blocks and knows what to do with the ball in tow. Not particularly elusive but is creative.

https://twitter.com/cfbonfox/status/1596642021678227457?s=61&t=3jxbpqfxb-JkizEVXntrSQ

•Elite Hands – Jones boasts some of the best hands in the 2023 NFL Draft. He rarely lets the ball travel to his chest, instead snatching it out of the air and tucking it away quickly. A consistent separator who hauls in passes is a quarterback’s best friend.

Weaknesses

•Limited Top-End Athleticism – Although Jones does well in space and as a returner, he is not the type of athlete that will blow scouts away. The star wideout can occasionally make defenders miss, but Jones does not possess breakaway speed.

•Frame – Jones checks in at 6-foot-flat and 188 pounds on the Purdue website, but he will probably be slightly shorter officially. His arm length and wingspan will limit his catch radius downfield. Jones’ stature could force him into slot duties in the NFL.

•Only 1 Year of WR Production – Even with several years spent at the collegiate level, Jones really only has one full year of experience on the offense. Serving primarily as a special teamer with Buffalo and Iowa, Purdue finally allowed Jones to make his mark as a wide receiver. Scouts will wish there was more tape.

•Age – As stated, Jones has been in college since 2017. He is already 24 years old and will turn 25 as a rookie. Advanced age is not a death sentence to his NFL Draft stock. However, teams will wonder if Jones has peaked physically already.

2023 NFL Draft Grade

•Mid-Day 2 (Round 2-3)

Charlie Jones is a very old prospect who will likely see a knock in his draft stock. On my board, he is worth a day two selection every day that ends in ‘y’. Jones is always open and brings inside-out versatility alongside his high-end play as a special teamer. The Purdue standout will be a steal in the 2023 NFL Draft if he makes it to day three.

Games Evaluated: 13