Nazair Jones

Last updated

Nazair Jones
No. 92
Position: Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1994-12-13) December 13, 1994 (age 29)
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:304 lb (138 kg)
Career information
High school: Roanoke Rapids
(Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina)
College: North Carolina
NFL draft: 2017  / Round: 3 / Pick: 102
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:26
Sacks:2.0
Fumble recoveries:1
Interceptions:1
Player stats at PFR

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

Contents

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 (8 ft 10 in or 2.69 m), 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]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 5+18 in
(1.96 m)
304 lb
(138 kg)
34+58 in
(0.88 m)
10+78 in
(0.28 m)
5.11 s1.80 s2.95 s4.63 s7.93 s24+12 in
(0.62 m)
8 ft 5 in
(2.57 m)
18 reps
All values from NFL Combine /North Carolina's Pro Day [5] [6]

Seattle Seahawks

2017

The Seattle Seahawks selected Jones in the third round (102nd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. [7] Jones was the sixth defensive tackle drafted in 2017. [8] On May 11, 2017, the Seahawks signed Jones to a four-year, $3.17 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $706,288. [9]

External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Seahawks draft Nazair Jones 102nd overall

Throughout training camp, Jones competed to be a backup defensive tackle against Garrison Smith, Jeremy Liggins, and Shaneil Jenkins. [10] 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. [11]

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. [12] On November 5, 2017, Jones earned his first career start after Sheldon Richardson suffered an oblique injury and was listed as inactive. [13] 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. [14] In Week 11, he collected a season-high four combined tackles as the Seahawks lost 34–31 to the Atlanta Falcons. [15] 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. [16] 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. [17]

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. [18] 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. [19] 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. [20] [21] Jones was also inactive, as a healthy scratch, for the Seahawks' 33–31 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5. [22]

2019

On August 27, 2019, Jones was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. [23] On May 4, 2020, Jones was released by the Seahawks. [24]

Jones had a tryout with the Chicago Bears on August 20, 2020. [25]

Buffalo Bills

On June 22, 2021, Jones signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills. [26] He was waived on July 16, 2021. [27]

On July 18, 2021, two days after being waived by the Bills, Jones announced his retirement from the NFL via Instagram. [28] In the same post, he announced he would be shifting his focus to his mentoring program, Made Mentoring.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlos Dunlap</span> American football player (born 1989)

Carlos Dunlap is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football for the Florida Gators, where he won the 2009 BCS National Championship Game. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earl Thomas</span> American football player (born 1989)

Earl Winty Thomas III is an American former professional football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and received consensus All-American honors and played in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game. He left after his redshirt sophomore year and he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. During his time with the Seahawks, he made 6 Pro Bowls and 5 All-Pro teams as he was a core member of the Legion of Boom defense, winning Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos and started in Super Bowl XLIX. After nine seasons with Seattle, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent and played one season while earning his 7th Pro Bowl invite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kam Chancellor</span> American football player (born 1988)

Kameron Darnel Chancellor, nicknamed "Bam Bam Kam", is an American former professional football safety who spent his entire nine-year career with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies prior to being selected by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft. A four-time Pro Bowler, he was one of the key members of their Legion of Boom secondary. He also helped lead the Seahawks to victory in Super Bowl XLVIII. Chancellor retired following complications from a neck injury he suffered in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malcolm Smith (American football)</span> American football player (born 1989)

Malcolm Xavier Smith is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL draft. Smith was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLVIII after the Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Perry (linebacker)</span> American football player (born 1990)

Nicholas Joel Perry is an American former football linebacker who played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Green Bay Packers. He played college football at USC. Perry was drafted by the Packers in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Shields</span> American football player (born 1987)

Samuel George Shields III is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. Shields was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He won Super Bowl XLV with the team over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K. J. Wright</span> American football player (born 1989)

Kenneth Bernard Wright Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He is currently the defense quality control coach for the San Francisco 49ers. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Byron Maxwell</span> American football player (born 1988)

Byron S. Maxwell is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft, where he was a member of the Seahawks' defensive group known as the Legion of Boom. Maxwell also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins. He played college football for the Clemson Tigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Irvin</span> American football player (born 1987)

Bruce Pernell Irvin Jr. is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round with the 15th overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. Irvin won Super Bowl XLVIII over the Denver Broncos, and also played in Super Bowl XLIX where he became the first player ever to be ejected from a Super Bowl. He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Wagner</span> American football player (born 1990)

Bobby Joseph Wagner is an American football linebacker for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Utah State Aggies and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft. Wagner also played for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheldon Richardson</span> American football player (born 1990)

Sheldon Adam Richardson is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Missouri Tigers, and was selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft. Richardson has also played for the Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings twice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shamar Stephen</span> American football player (born 1991)

Shamar Irvin Stephen is a former American football defensive end. He played college football at UConn. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round, 220th overall, of the 2014 NFL draft. He also played for the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damarious Randall</span> American football player (born 1992)

Damarious Wayne Randall is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Coleman</span> American football player (born 1993)

Justin Jamal Coleman is an American football cornerback and nickelback who is a free agent. He played college football at Tennessee, and signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He has also been a member of the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and Miami Dolphins. Coleman won Super Bowl LI with the Patriots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Prosise</span> American football player (born 1994)

Calvin "C. J." Prosise Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jarran Reed</span> American football player (born 1992)

Jarran Kentrel Reed is an American football defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, and was selected by the Seahawks in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He also played one season each for the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamal Adams</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jamal Lee Adams is an American football safety for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers, and was drafted sixth overall in the 2017 NFL draft by the New York Jets. Adams quickly became an impactful starter for the Jets, making the Pro Bowl twice and being named an All-Pro. In 2021, Adams signed a four-year extension with the Seattle Seahawks valued at $72 million, with a $20 million signing bonus and $38 million guaranteed, making him the highest paid safety in the NFL at that time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Jones (safety)</span> American football player (born 1994)

Josh Jones is an American football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at NC State, and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft. He has also played for the Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaquill Griffin</span> American football player (born 1995)

Shaquill Griffin is an American football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He is the twin brother of former linebacker Shaquem Griffin, and both brothers played college football at UCF. Griffin was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Dissly</span> American football player (born 1996)

Will Dissly is an American football tight end for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washington and was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. Dissly was Montana's Gatorade High School Player of the Year in 2013.

References

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