Full Colts midseason rookie report card: Grading how 2023 draft picks have performed

Round 7, Pick 221: Jaylon Jones (CB)

The seventh round of the NFL Draft is often reserved for hit-or-miss projects that may have some long-term upside but also could certainly flounder once they're in the league. Jaylon Jones has blown past those low standards. The defensive back out of Texas A&M has welcomed a bigger-than-expected workload and has impressed with his performance.

Jones has provided critical depth to a secondary that desperately needs it. After Dallis Flowers’ season-ending injury, Jones was suddenly given starting-corner-level responsibility. Since Week 5, he’s played 352 snaps and has allowed a completion rate of just 57.1% as well as only 4.8 yards per target.

Until Brents returns, Jones will continue to start but frankly, it seems like Indianapolis can trust the boundary corner to handle his business. With elite size and length, Jones always had the potential to be a great pick, but few expected him to make such an immediate and valuable impact.

Grade: A

Other Colts rookies

Indianapolis drafted four other players in 2023 who have not made an on-field appearance for the Colts. Fifth-round CB Darius Rush was cut from the roster before the season began, while three others — Daniel Scott, Titus Leo, and Jake Witt — were all placed on season-ending injured reserve in August.

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