The first day of rookie camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers has come and gone and several members of the media are now weighing in with their thoughts after observing the Friday practice.
Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that first-round draft pick Jarvis Jones appeared to him to be undersized and that has been one of my own concerns all along about the former Georgia linebacker.
“First-round pick Jarvis Jones looked tremendously undersized especially compared to Woodley and Jason Worilds,” writes Kaboly. “Now, his speed, that’s just fine. Jones showed that off a couple times in getting around tackle Mike Farrell, but my goodness he needs to put on some girth.”
Jones weighed in that combine back in February at 6023, 245 pounds. During his pro day in late March he only managed to do 20 reps on the bench.
There is no doubt that Jones was productive in college, as his 28 total sacks and 44 tackles for loss speaks for itself. He did, however, struggle at times during his college career at setting the edge outside against the run, especially against better quality teams, and it appears that he really could use a year in the weight room in order to get more sand in his pants.
Jones, according to Kaboly, is not the only player that looks small as he also notes that second-round draft pick, running back Le\’Veon Bell, should in no way be considered a big back like he has been advertised. Kaboly reports that despite Bell being listed at 244 pounds, the running back stated that he is more than likely around 230.
As far as a few of the other draft picks go, Kaboly reports that quarterback Landry Jones struggled with his throws on Friday and that safety Shamarko Thomas, cornerback Terry Hawthorne and defensive end Nick Williams, who he thinks is the most physically mature guy out there, all passed the eye test on day one.
The Steelers rookie camp will resume on Saturday.
