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NFL Draft: Is Cyrus Jones Option For Ravens?

By Noah Shandrowsky

Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback Cyrus Jones (5) returns a punt in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback Cyrus Jones (5) returns a punt in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Just about every young football player wants to make it to the NFL. They see it in practice when the strap on their helmets, they see themselves making big plays on the biggest stage in the NFL. Most of them don’t care where they end up, and then there’s those who want to play for their hometown team more than anything. Cyrus Jones is a hometown kid who wants nothing more than to play for the Baltimore Ravens.

Jones is one of those guys who loves football and plays for his love of the game rather than playing for the fame and money. Jones said in an interview for the Ravens website that he would be happy getting drafted anywhere, but said getting drafted by the Ravens would “mean the world” to him. Jones went on to talk about how it’s his dream to put on Ravens purple on play in front of friends and family in his home town.

Cyrus Jones grew up in Baltimore, and went to Gilman High School, one of the top football schools in Maryland. Jones attended Ozzie Newsome‘s Alma Mater, Alabama, where in 2015, he became one of the top Defensive Backs in the Nation. If you’re a fan of college football, you know Alabama won the College Football Playoff National Championship 45-40 over the Clemson Tigers. In the game prior, Alabama shutout Michigan State with the help of a Cyrus Jones goal line interception.

In the aforementioned article by Garrett Downing of BaltimoreRavens.com Jones was quoted as saying
“I definitely feel as though I’m underrated, just because of my size.” While he is slightly undersized it doesn’t seem to matter on the field. He has the ability to get the job done.

Players with the mindset and determination of Jones are hard to find. When you mix in the passion behind playing for the city you grew up in you get a one of a kind player. Now I don’t see the Ravens using the No. 6 pick to draft Jones, who is projected to be a mid round pick. However if the Ravens choose to go with defense with their first pick, Cyrus Jones is a perfect choice.

Jones is also great on special teams as a punt returner, something the Ravens had been looking for all season long. Jones returned 48 punts for 518 yards and 4 touchdowns. This guy sounds like a perfect pick doesn’t he? I can see Jones going somewhere between 10th-30th overall, if the Ravens trade down they could target Jones.

Watch as Jones follows the play, watches the quarterback, and goes up and makes the play. Jones has incredible ball-hawking skills that go along with how well he plays his receivers. Jones knows what he’s doing because he reads the play so well, and then goes and makes a big play for his team.

Later in that game, Jones returns a punt while showing off incredible footwork to elude literally everyone and take it in for the touchdown. Watch this as many times as you want, it never gets boring.

Now watch this. Jones forces the run outside and punches the ball away like there isn’t a dude with huge arms holding onto it for dear life. Jones then picks up the football, stays in bounds, and scores a touchdown. Is there anything this guy can’t do?

Next: Baltimore Ravens: Time To Part Ways With Courtney Upshaw

Jones has followed the perfect Ravens road so far, grew up in Baltimore and attended Alabama. It’s time to pave the final part of the road for him and bring him home to Baltimore.

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