Marvin Jones Jr. Scouting Report
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Kevin Jairaj/USA Today Sports)
School: Oklahoma
Class: Senior
Position: EDGE
HT: 6’5
WT: 262 lbs
Background: Marvin Jones Jr. is the son of former Florida State LB Marvin Jones Sr. Senior won the 1992 Butkus Award and Lombardi Award before going on to have an 11-year NFL career with the New York Jets. Jones Jr. was a consensus 5-star edge rusher out of Sunrise, Florida. He was a top 5 edge rusher in the class of 2022 and a top 5 player in the state. He played for American Heritage High School, where he won a class 5A state championship as a junior. After his senior season, he participated in the All-American Bowl. Marvin committed to Georgia out of high school over the likes of USC, Florida State, Alabama, and Oklahoma.
College: In 2 seasons with the Bulldogs, Jones Jr. was used in a rotational capacity. Ahead of the 2024 season, he transferred to his father’s alma mater, Florida State. Jones Jr. made 9 starts for the Seminoles in 2024, totaling 25 tackles, 6 TFLs, and 4 sacks. For his final collegiate season, he transferred to Oklahoma. As a Sooner, his production took a dip as he only had 4 TFLs and 1 sack.
Strengths: Marvin Jones Jr. has heavy and accurate hands in the phone booth. He often initiates contact with a strong first punch that can create some knockback, opening up the opponent’s chest. Jones Jr. has a detailed and diverse pass rush plan that does not end if his initial rush is stalled. His counter rush is one of the best in the draft class. Jones shows off his athletic ability in pursuit of the ball carrier. When he breaks free into the backfield, he closes in on the quarterback with impressive speed. In open space, Jones Jr. does well to bounce off blocks in open space and take good angles to the ball carrier. He is an effective run defender who can get to the ball from the opposite side of the field.
Weaknesses: Jones Jr. plays too stiff. With his speed, it is a strange pairing that he plays with a high pad level and lacks bend in his rush. He does not have the hip or ankle flexion to get low and under the pads of offensive tackles. Jones lacks tempo in his game, creating a lack of rhythm as well. He does not rock tackles off their anchor or make them second guess what his next move will be.
Conclusion: Marvin Jones Jr. is a quick edge rusher who will be serviceable as both a pass rusher and run defender. He lacks the bend that all elite edge rushers need to have, which may be his downfall at the next level.
Best Team Fits: DAL, BAL, ARI
Player Comparison: Baron Browning
Player Grade: Round 6 (46.7)
