NFL Draft 2022: Ex-coach June Jones breaks down QB class, reveals who he likes the most

LAS VEGAS – Former NFL coach June Jones was spot on final 12 months when he predicted Mac Jones would have immense success in his rookie season. He would lead the New England Patriots to a playoff look.

Jones, the previous head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and interim coach of the San Diego Chargers, instructed Fox Information Digital in a current interview he thinks many of the quarterbacks on this 12 months’s class are “wait-and-see” kind gamers. He stated out of everybody, Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett was the one he favored probably the most.

“I believe they’re all gonna be wait-and-see guys. I do assume (Kenny Pickett) if he goes to the best crew, I believe he probably may very well be (a starter),” Jones stated. “I’m not excessive on (Sam Howell) from North Carolina. However Pickett I believe has sufficient throwing skill and has been in a passing offense. … I believe he could possibly leap up in there and get an opportunity anyway to play early.”

Jones stated he even was a bit to see how Ole Miss prospect Matt Corral was going to do. However whereas most consultants have predicted he goes within the first spherical, Jones stated he’d be shocked if that occurred.

“The man that I kinda like rather a lot and all people is form of now unfavourable on is the Ole Miss man, Matt Corral. I’ve to confess now they’re nervous about issues that don’t occur on the sector. They’re speaking about off-field, ‘Oh, possibly he’s within the golf equipment a little bit an excessive amount of’ or no matter. However a number of the greatest quarterbacks had been within the golf equipment an excessive amount of,” Jones stated.

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Malik Willis of the Liberty Flames throws in the course of the NFL Mix at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2022, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Justin Casterline/Getty Photographs)

Malik Willis, out of Liberty, was one other quarterback who NFL analysts had been fascinated by.

Nonetheless, Jones sees him as a “mission.”

“The man that everyone is speaking about, Malik Willis, I believe is a mission and I’d be hard-pressed if I used to be anyone who just isn’t actual safe in my job to take him as a result of he’s gonna be pressured into taking part in. I believe he’s a mission,” Jones instructed Fox Information Digital, including he nonetheless thought Willis will get taken within the first spherical.

Jones expressed curiosity in Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe. The previous Hilltoppers star will possible fall to the second or third day.

Bailey Zappe of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in motion towards the Appalachian State Mountaineers in the course of the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Stadium on Dec. 18, 2021 in Boca Raton, Florida.
(Michael Reaves/Getty Photographs)

“I believe there’s a pair down the road guys. The child from Western Kentucky (Bailey Zappe), I believe he’s the most effective man. I believe if he was 6-foot-3, he would most likely be listed that means as a result of he’s a greater passer than all of them,” Jones stated. “Athletically, he’s adequate to maneuver round and create some stuff, too. However I actually favored his accuracy down the sector. He’s extra correct. I learn some feedback about him that some guys query his accuracy. Properly, for those who watched the movie, there’s no query this man can throw.

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“I form of really feel like how I felt about Mac Jones final 12 months when no person actually thought he was the man. Then hastily all people went again and reevaluated and discovered he was a type of guys and New England was kinda fortunate to get him.”

Jones hasn’t coached within the NFL because the 1998 season with the Chargers. He had profitable runs in school with Hawaii and SMU and lately was the pinnacle coach of the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL in 2020 earlier than the league shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Kenny Pickett of the Pittsburgh Panthers throughout warmups for the ACC Championship recreation at Financial institution of America Stadium on Dec. 4, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(Logan Whitton/Getty Photographs)

He instructed Fox Information Digital he’s discovered success with CoachTube, a platform that gives on-line sports activities teaching and coaching from former school {and professional} coaches and gamers.

Jones stated the suggestions has been “fairly unbelievable” and he’s gotten calls about his programs from coaches in any respect ranges.