Every year, after the tenth week of the college football season, I do my Top Ten Draft Prospects I Love and Hate More Than You. In 2015, Chris Jones made my Love list. I have had him graded as a first rounder since my original big board last spring.

Considering entering his true junior season, Jones had made only three starts, all as a freshman, why was I so high on Jones?

Jones came to Starkville as a five-star prospect and the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect, and flashed elite athleticism his first two seasons. He was named a freshman All-American, who appeared destined to be a top-10 selection.

However, Jones became part of a rotation in 2014, and did not start a single game, and finished the 2014 season with just 26 tackles, with 3.5 tackles for loss, including three sacks.

Jones reemerged to start all 13 games in 2015, and finished last season with 44 tackles, with 7.5 tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks. He also had four pass breakups.

Most draft analysts still seem to see Jones as an underachiever, even though he displayed better consistency last season. ProFootballFocus named him a second-team All-American and currently ranks him as their number eight overall prospect. Of coarse, we know PFF is very results-oriented with their grading, often ignoring physical short comings.

Jones does not have any physical short comings. At 6'6/308, his frame and skill set reminds me of Ra'Shede Hageman, who was drafted 37th overall by the Falcons. Similar to Jones, Hageman's tape is full on inconsistency, so even in a draft class deep at defensive tackle, I don't believe Jones will fall past pick 37.

While Jones will not always play with good pad level, and will occasionally lose sight of the ball carrier, I see Hageman as Jones' floor, while falling only slightly short of fulfilling the Fletcher Cox comparisons that he heard as soon as he arrived on campus.

In their explanation, PPF wrote "The power is the first thing that stands out, and it was put to good use as Jones ranked fourth in the nation among interior defensive linemen. He can move blockers at the point of attack and push the pocket, and he still has room to grow as a player."

While not quite as high on Jones, in his first mock draft of the year, CBSSports.com’s Pete Prisco has the Redskins selecting him with the 21st overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah ranked Jones 37th, writing "Jones is a toolsy prospect with big upside but he will need time to develop."

Neither Bucky Brooks or Charles Davis had him in their top-50 lists.

Lance Zierlein had him just 68th in his top-100 list, but was complimentary in when writing Jones' NFL.com draft profile, suggesting Jones plays "with tremendous natural power."

Has strength in his hands and upper body to shed blockers without much effort when it’s time. Made to stymie downhill rushing attacks. Can battle through wash­-down blocks and work his way back into a tackle. High school hooper with sneaky lateral foot quickness. Uses quick feet and shoulder turn to leverage him into gaps for disruption. Flashes some occasional "quick win" hand work as pass rusher. Posted 34 quarterback pressures and 11.5 run stuffs. Has talent and strength to do what he wants on some snaps. Can generate a heavy pocket push when he gets some knee-­bend going. Sure­fire tackler with vision and agility to scrape down line of scrimmage and clean up runners working through line of scrimmage.

Against LSU, Jones had a season-high eight tackles. Jones' LSU tape is a good one because it has him going against one of the best offensive lines in the country. It also shows his characteristic missed opportunities.

The Missouri game is not yet up on DraftBreakdown, but it is a game worth watching, as there are a bunch of snaps of him at DE, both in a 3-4 and a 4-3. In this game, Jones got a bunch of hurries, but failed to finish on a few when a the quarterback was within his grasp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vguCmKduWrY

While Walterfootball ranked 15 defensive tackles above Jones, I am having a hard time finding 15 players players, regardless of position, I like better than Jones.

I predict Jones will have a great performance at the NFL Combine, and leapfrog many of the defensive lineman currently ranked ahead of him. Jones traits will make him appealing to both 3-4 and 4-3 teams. In fact, I think he could line up as a 4-3 DE in certain packages. Unfortunately for the Panthers, a top-20 selection is within his reach.