Deion Jones: Impressive Rookie Performance

Falcons linebacker Deion Jones performed impressively in 2016, proving his versatility and athletic ability.

When the Atlanta Falcons drafted Deion Jones, it was clear that speed was his forte. His 4.59 second 40 yard dash time was fourth among linebackers at the 2016 NFL Combine, and his speed manifested on the field, as he flew from sideline to sideline, racking up tackles.

In fact, he led NFL rookies in tackles with 108.

However, the Atlanta linebacker did not only prove his tackling ability. Jones also led all NFL linebackers in passes defended with seven.

So, not only can he stop running backs that break past the defensive line, he can also hold his own in coverage, stepping up to shut down short passes.

Don’t forget that Jones also created turnovers for the Falcons, intercepting three passes and forcing one fumble in 2016. He even took one interception the distance against Drew Brees in the Superdome.

Dan Quinn spoke highly of Jones’ growth throughout the 2016 at an NFL press conference this past March, saying:

"Deion had a terrific year. I shared this story with a few people. At some point during the year, he went from like a first-year player to a second- or third-year player. That’s pretty rare to do. There were times where we’d put our head into the huddle and he would give us the arm-bar toward the end of the season. He was like, ‘I got it,’ where in the beginning part of the season, he could lock in on his assignment but couldn’t share all the things that happen at linebacker with everyone else."

Hopefully, Jones can continue to improve in 2017 as a leader of the Falcons defense and talented linebacker.

Next: Is Julio Jones the Best Wide Receiver of All Time?