Even after registering a 4.48 sec 40 yard dash at the 2014 NFL combine, 3rd year Lions WR T.J Jones doesn’t mind flying under the radar. Literally.

With today’s growing social media realm, young professional athletes have for the most part bathed themselves in the bliss of vain-glory by seeking to become cyber socialites (I.E Johnny Manziel, WR Odell Beckham Jr.). But 23 year old Lions WR T.J Jones has showed us something different.

For T.J, It must have been surreal spending his first years in the NFL alongside WR Calvin Johnson Jr. and Super Bowl XLVIII champion WR Golden Tate ( who also a university of Notre Dame attendee like T.J). Through two seasons, Jones has been learning the do’s and don’ts in a league twice the intensity of Division I NCAA Football. I had the pleasure of meeting T.J and Lions CB Darius Slay last fall. These men of honor certainly strike as mature for their age, being sealed with a humility that only true life tribulations can bring. Though not publicly commended for their conduct as professionals, there is no doubt that new GM Bob Quinn and head coach Jim Caldwell have taken note.

T.J’s impact in the Lions locker room will be pivotal in forwarding the poised atmosphere WR Golden Tate and Megatron established in years prior. .

T.J’s impact in the Lions locker room will be pivotal in forwarding the poised atmosphere WR Golden Tate and Megatron established in years prior. As Jones enters into his 3rd year with the Lions organization, he has to understand the opportunity he has to become a vital piece in Offensive Coordinator Jim Bob Cooter’s system. OTA photos are certainly a tease to the intense effort Lions players are putting in to prepare for a strenuous NFL season. As for Jones, speed will be a secret weapon to help spread opposing defenses. Free Agent signee WR Marvin Jones will play advocate to T.J’s ability to route underneath patterns and gash the defense in the open field. A glimpse of what T.J can do was trialed in the Lions Week 13 loss against the Packers. A short screen pass was thrown to Jones on the outside slot with the opportunity of a 15 yard gain. Unfortunately, Jones tripped up over his own teammates and gained just 4 yards. Another highlight for T.J came against the 49ers, where he ran a 20-25 yard post route from the X position for a TD reception. These play designs from Cooter are personnel driven, and with a weapon like T.J Jones on the outside things can only get better for the Lions offense in 2016.