Taiwan Jones Flashes “Raider Speed” and May Convince Raiders to Go RB in the 2011 NFL Draft
Eastern Washington running back Taiwan Jones has really flown under the radar. Jones rushed for 1,742 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, but since it was not against the top-level talent scouts were skeptical.
He then was not able to boost his draft stock at the NFL Combine as he was recovering from a broken foot.
Jones just erased any concerns that may have arisen by not being able to participate in the NFL Combine during his Pro Day today. His Pro Day apparently went fairly well. Here is NBC Sports’ quote:
“Jones reportedly clocked between 4.29 and 4.35 on all stopwatches. It’s an emphatic sign that he’s fully recovered from late-season foot surgery. Checking in at 6’1″, 196 pounds with ‘nary an ounce of body fat,’ Jones also recorded an impressive 39 1/2-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot broad jump—just five inches short of the record. Jones is the most explosive athlete in this year’s running back class. Thursday’s performance, in front of representatives from 26 teams, should lock him into the draft’s second day. His stock is skyrocketing.”
And while the mind-boggling numbers certainly suggest he is healthy Jones’ agent tells us otherwise. Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reports:
“Agent Doug Hendrickson said Jones is 90-percent healthy, and should be at full strength in another month.”
Jones is a likely second-round pick, and it is hard to imagine he will be on the board beyond the third.
While the Raiders are fairly set at running back, they were still in attendance at his Pro Day. However, that is certainly “Raider Speed,” and according to Jerry McDonald of the Contra Costa Times Raiders running back coach Kelly Skipper pulled Jones aside for a few moments of private discussion.
Jones is certainly an interesting prospect, and if they drafted him they could possibly let Michael Bush walk in free agency and spend that money elsewhere. However, they need to stay away from Jones. He would not provide the contrast to McFadden that Bush does, and the Raiders need to focus on drafting other positions.
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