Nazair Jones Explained

Nazair Jones
Number:92
Position:Defensive tackle
Birth Date:13 December 1994
Birth Place:Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:5
Weight Lbs:304
High School:Roanoke Rapids
College:North Carolina
Draftyear:2017
Draftround:3
Draftpick:102
Pastteams:
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:26
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:2.0
Statlabel3:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue3:1
Statlabel4:Interceptions
Statvalue4:1
Pfr:JoneNa00

Nazair "Naz" Jones (born December 13, 1994) is a former American football defensive tackle. He played college football at North Carolina.[1]

Professional career

Pre-draft

On December 9, 2016, Jones released a statement through his Instagram account and announced his decision to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2017 NFL draft.[2] Jones attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and performed the majority of drills, but elected to skip the bench press, short shuttle, and three-cone drill. On March 13, 2017, Jones participated at North Carolina's pro day and chose to perform the 40-yard dash (5.15s), 20-yard dash (2.99s), 10-yard dash (1.77s), bench press (18 reps), broad jump, and short shuttle (4.64s). At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Jones was projected to be a third round pick by NFL draft scouts and analysts.[3] He was ranked the eighth best defensive tackle prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com and was ranked the 18th best defensive tackle by Scouts Inc.[4]

Seattle Seahawks

2017

The Seattle Seahawks selected Jones in the third round (102nd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.[5] Jones was the sixth defensive tackle drafted in 2017.[6] On May 11, 2017, the Seahawks signed Jones to a four-year, $3.17 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $706,288.[7]

Throughout training camp, Jones competed to be a backup defensive tackle against Garrison Smith, Jeremy Liggins, and Shaneil Jenkins.[8] Head coach Pete Carroll named Jones the third defensive tackle on the depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Sheldon Richardson and Jarran Reed.[9]

He made his professional regular season debut in the Seahawks' season-opener at the Green Bay Packers and recorded one solo tackle, deflected a pass, and returned an interception for a touchdown during their 17–9 loss. Jones made his first career interception off a pass attempt by Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers, that was originally a screen pass intended for tight end Lance Kendricks, and returned it for a 64-yard touchdown in the first quarter. However, his touchdown was nullified due a penalty on Cliff Avril for an illegal block in the back during the return. The Packers declined another penalty on cornerback Jeremy Lane who was ejected for throwing a punch during the play.[10] On November 5, 2017, Jones earned his first career start after Sheldon Richardson suffered an oblique injury and was listed as inactive.[11] Jones finished the Seahawks' 17–14 loss to the Washington Redskins with three combined tackles and was also credited with half a sack. The following week, Jones recorded two solo tackles and made his first career solo sack during a 22–16 victory at the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10. Jones' first career solo sack was on Cardinals' quarterback Drew Stanton for an eight-yard loss in the fourth quarter.[12] In Week 11, he collected a season-high four combined tackles as the Seahawks lost 34–31 to the Atlanta Falcons.[13] On December 30, 2017, the Seahawks officially placed Jones on injured reserve after he was inactive for four games (Weeks 13–16) due to a high ankle sprain in Week 12.[14] Jones completed his rookie season in 2017 with 19 combined tackles (ten solo), three pass deflections, two sacks, and one interception in 11 games and two starts.[15]

2018

On January 16, 2018, the Seahawks announced their decision to fire defensive coordinator Kris Richard and hire their former linebacker coach Ken Norton Jr. to be Richard's successor.[16] During training camp, Jones competed to be a starting defensive tackle against Shamar Stephen after it was left vacant by the departure of Sheldon Richardson.[17] Head coach Pete Carroll named Jones the fourth defensive tackle on the depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Jarran Reed, Tom Johnson, and Shamar Stephen. Jones was inactive as a healthy scratch for the Seahawks' 27–24 loss at the Denver Broncos in their season-opener.[18] [19] Jones was also inactive, as a healthy scratch, for the Seahawks' 33–31 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5.[20]

2019

On August 27, 2019, Jones was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.[21] On May 4, 2020, Jones was released by the Seahawks.[22]

Jones had a tryout with the Chicago Bears on August 20, 2020.[23]

Buffalo Bills

On June 22, 2021, Jones signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills.[24] He was waived on July 16, 2021.[25]

On July 18, 2021, two days after being waived by the Bills, Jones announced his retirement from the NFL via Instagram.[26] In the same post, he announced he would be shifting his focus to his mentoring program, Made Mentoring.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Eric Adelson . NFL draft prospect Nazair Jones on his rare disease: 'On a scale of 1 to 10, the pain was a 12' . Sports.yahoo.com . 2017-04-06 . 2021-11-19.
  2. Web site: BREAKING: Nazair Jones declares for 2017 NFL draft . October 26, 2018 . CBSSports.com . December 9, 2016.
  3. Web site: *Nazair Jones, DS #8 DT, North Carolina . October 26, 2018 . DraftScout.com.
  4. Web site: NFL Nazair Jones -ESPN . October 26, 2018 . espn.com.
  5. Web site: 2017 NFL Draft Listing . 2023-05-17 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  6. Web site: Seahawks Select North Carolina Defensive Tackle Nazair Jones With No. 102 Overall Pick In 2017 NFL Draft. Boyle, John. Seahawks.com. April 28, 2017.
  7. Web site: Spotrac.com: Nazair Jones contract . October 25, 2018 . Spotrac.com.
  8. Web site: NFL camp opening: Seattle Seahawks cooking up surprise . October 25, 2018 . UPI.com . July 29, 2017.
  9. Web site: Seahawks final 53-man roster for 2017 . October 25, 2018 . fieldgulls.com . September 2, 2017.
  10. Web site: Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers - September 10th, 2017. Pro-Football-Reference.com. September 24, 2017.
  11. Web site: Seahawks inactives: C.J. Prosise, Sheldon Richardson join Earl Thomas on the sidelines . October 26, 2018 . seattletimes.com. November 5, 2017.
  12. Web site: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals - November 9th, 2017 . October 26, 2018 . pro-football-reference.com.
  13. Web site: NFL Player stats: Nazair Jones (2017) . October 26, 2018 . NFL.com.
  14. Web site: Seahawks Place DT Nazair Jones On Injured Reserve, Promote TE Tyrone Swoopes Off Practice Squad. Boyle, John. Seahawks.com. December 30, 2017.
  15. Web site: NFL Player stats: Nazair Jones (career) . October 26, 2018 . NFL.com.
  16. Web site: Seahawks fire defensive coordinator Kris Richard, linebackers coach Michael Barrow . October 26, 2018 . The Seattle Times . January 16, 2018.
  17. Web site: Pete Carroll praises Tom Johnson and Shamar Stephen additions . October 26, 2018 . 247sports.com . Lewis, Derek . June 24, 2018.
  18. Web site: Earl Thomas active for Seahawks game against Broncos – but Naz Jones isn't . October 26, 2018 . Q13Fox.com . Lane, Dusty . September 9, 2018.
  19. Web site: Seahawks release inactives vs Broncos . October 26, 2018 . 247Sports.com . Lewis, Derek . September 9, 2018.
  20. Web site: Seahawks-Rams inactives: Prosise, Pocic among those out . October 26, 2018 . MSN.com . October 7, 2018.
  21. Web site: Seahawks Make Roster Moves, Adding Two Receivers. Boyle, John. Seahawks.com. August 27, 2019.
  22. Web site: Seahawks Sign 12 Undrafted Rookie Free Agents; Waive Four Players. Boyle, John. Seahawks.com. May 4, 2020.
  23. AlbertBreer . Today's tryout/visit list. . 1296557572107968514 . August 20, 2020 . August 21, 2020.
  24. News: Glab, Maddy . Bills sign two defensive tackles . BuffaloBills.com . June 22, 2021 . June 24, 2021.
  25. Web site: Bills release DT Nazair Jones. The Buffalo News. July 16, 2021.
  26. Web site: Naz Jones (@nazjones90) posted on Instagram: "The game of football changed my life for ever. After playing my first play in 8th grade, I knew this game was a tool that lead to freedom...." • Jul 18, 2021 at 4:10pm UTC. 2021-11-02. Instagram. en.