From track star to Super Bowl hero: the rise of an undrafted corner
In short: In 2016, Jonathan Jones was an undrafted free agent, overlooked by scouts due to a lack of height. Yet, he would eventually become a cornerstone of a New England Patriots dynasty, earning a massive contract and a reputation as a premier shutdown defender against the league's fastest weapons.
Before entering the NFL, Jones was a standout multi-sport athlete in Carrollton, Georgia. During 2011, this 110-meter hurdles champion secured the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics National title while competing as a secondary school athlete. He carried this athleticism to Auburn, where he became a four-year starter. Despite an impressive 4.28-second 40-yard dash time and a strong bench press, NFL analysts projected him as a late-round pick, but he ultimately went undrafted in 2016.
Jones's path to stardom was defined by perseverance through injury and depth-chart battles. After signing a modest $1.63 million contract with the New England Patriots, he spent his rookie year fighting for snaps. By 2017, he began making a significant impact, recording his first career interception against the Los Angeles Chargers and a sack against the Miami Dolphins. His role expanded significantly in 2018 and 2019, culminating in a massive $21 million contract extension in 2019.
His most notable career moment came in the 2019 AFC Championship Game. Tasked with neutralizing the league's fastest wide receiver, Tyreek Hill, Jones was credited as a 'big reason why' the Patriots advanced to Super Bowl LIII. He successfully limited Hill to just one reception, helping secure a victory that led to his second Super Bowl championship. By 2022, his evolution was complete, as he was named the team's No. 1 starting cornerback.
theme-key: human-achievement mood-key: reflective difficulty-key: 2 topics-key: [american-football, sports-history, nfl]
In 2016, a three-year deal worth $1.63 million was agreed with the New England Patriots for the undrafted player.
1 starting cornerback for the Patriots"}]
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