The Las Vegas Raiders had one of the better defenses in the NFL in 2023, and that was especially the case after Antonio Pierce took over as the interim head coach.
One reason for Las Vegas’ impressive showing was cornerback Jack Jones, who the team claimed off waivers from the New England Patriots once they decided to part ways with him.
In seven games with the Raiders, Jones surrendered a completion rate of 56.3% and a passer rating of 63.0. The completion rate allowed was the second-best mark of his career, and the passer rating was a personal best.
Despite his impressive showing, CBS Sports’ Jared Dubin does not consider Jones one of the top-20 cornerbacks in the NFL going into 2024. Taking it a step further, Dubin doesn’t even think Jones is top 34 after he was snubbed from the honorable mentions list, also.
Jones certainly isn’t going to be happy to read that, and it could serve as extra motivation.
“I believe I’m a premier corner already myself,” Jones told ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez at OTAs. “I’m not really worried about what y’all say, respectfully… I just go out there and play ball. My goal this year is to be the No. 1 defense and make the playoffs.”
The thing about Jones’ stint with the Raiders is that it wasn’t exactly a one-off. During his rookie campaign, Jones posted a career-best 54.1% completion rate allowed and a passer rating of 64.8. He was targeted five more times in 13 games that season than he was over his seven games with the Raiders.
At the very least, Jones should’ve been in the honorable mentions list, but an argument can certainly be made that he should’ve been in the top 20. If he can put together another season like he did in 2023, he won’t be denied on this list in 2025.