Charlie Jones 2023 NFL Draft Profile
The 2023 NFL Draft profiles keep on coming! In this article, we will be taking a look at Purdue’s Charlie Jones. The Iowa transfer lit it up for the Boilermakers in 2022, leading the nation with 110 catches for 1,361 yards (second in the country) and 12 touchdowns (tied for fifth in the country). Can he bring that level of production to the next level? Let’s dive into it.
I wrote about Charlie Jones after Purdue’s week one matchup with Penn State and raved about his performance. He went up against Joey Porter Jr. (projected first-round pick) most of the night and dominated the matchup. I have been hooked on Jones ever since.
My biggest takeaway was the speed he showed at the combine. A massive knock I would read about Charlie Jones was that he did not possess the top-end speed to be able to pull away from defenders. Well, I think a 4.43 40 time puts those concerns to bed. He wowed at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Jones is a very good route runner with a very large route tree. His burst and knee bend are also very solid, giving him a great ability to get out of breaks well and create separation. He will constantly get up in the grill of his defender before breaking a route as well, something I love. Jones also has experience returning kicks/punts.
His biggest knock with others will probably be his size. At 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, he is smaller in frame. I do not care. Watch his tape this year and you will fall in love the same as I have. He already put the speed concerns to rest.
I have a day-two grade on Charlie Jones. I think he should be targeted in the early part of the third round. For me, he is floating around WR7-WR9 on my big board. Similar to Alec Pierce last year, I believe that if he goes into the right system that can utilize him right away, he can make an impact in year one.
