Raiders 2022 NFL Draft: Day 2 offensive studs to watch for

Raiders Day 2 prospect watch: Velus Jones Jr., WR, Tennessee

The Raiders could certainly use more speed downfield, and picking up Velus Jones Jr. from Tennessee wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. The receiver corps got a major shakeup this offseason, but adding Jones would give Derek Carr another potential option in the long run. If there’s one thing that warrants Jones getting a look on Day 2, it’s his untapped potential to become a big-play receiver.

The speed he put on display in college is indicative of this; he had large, explosive returns on special teams. He also played inside in the slot or outside wide.

The Raiders can take advantage of Jones’s natural speed to create matchup problems for opposing defenses. While his route-running needs refinement, Jones can be used in a specialist role. McDaniels could opt to use his speed in catch-and-run scenarios where his explosiveness in getting yards after the catch will be on display. His hands are more than reliable, and he appears to be comfortable handling the pigskin, whether it’s via a catch or a handoff.

Again, his route-running and ability to deceive defensive backs will need coaching at the NFL level, but Jones has the speed and separation that could turn him into a weapon in the right system. Either way, it appears this young man is one of those talents that if you can find a way to get him the ball, he’ll make something happen.