Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones is one of the most intriguing prospects in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft, as he showed strong potential leading the Buckeyes to a National Championship during the 2014 season, but rapidly declined in his junior season losing the starting role to J.T. Barrett.
Despite his decline in play in his final season with the Buckeyes, multiple teams are still showing interest in the 6-foot-5, 253-pound quarterback as he checks multiple boxes NFL franchises look for in a quarterback. Jones will likely need time to develop in the league, and in the right system has the potential to develop into a NFL starter. The Dallas Cowboys could make sense for the Buckeyes quarterback, as he would have time to develop behind a top-tier quarterback like Tony Romo for at least a couple seasons, but other teams could also provide a strong environment for the young developing prospect.
Two NFL franchises that are taking interest in the Buckeyes quarterback are the Buffalo Bills and the Arizona Cardinals, as the Jones told Sirus XM Radio that he has private workouts schedule with both teams. Both franchises could provide a strong environment for the young quarterback, and with both Tyrod Taylor in place in Buffalo and Carson Palmer in place in Arizona, either situation could provide him time develop.
"You want to buy into the size and arm but his accuracy and game management just aren't there yet. He doesn't even have 300 passes under his belt!" said one NFL offensive coordinator. "Compare him to (Teddy) Bridgewater and (Derek) Carr. Blows those guys away with the physical stuff but he can't touch their poise and leadership as young quarterbacks."
A major reason why Jones is one of the most intriguing prospects in the year's draft class is because of the wide differential of varying opinions on the young man. "I think a lot of people say fourth round maybe a little later - he got benched this season - I'm going to put him in the second round," said NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah. "It might be the bottom of the second round, but there's going to be a quarterback coach (or) an offensive coordinator who is going to go to the GM and say 'This guy has such rare physical tools, give me some time to work with him, I will get it out of him."
It wouldn't be surprising if either the Bills or Cardinals add a quarterback to their rosters in the early rounds of the draft, and Jones' upcoming private workouts with each franchise likely will have major implications, as to whether either team would be willing to reach on him. It's a little less than month away from the 2016 NFL Draft, and teams are making sure to leave no stone unturned, as the past has shown plenty of future NFL stars passed on draft day.
