ESPN's Todd McShay Talks Jarron Jones, Isaac Rochell
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay has a fifth-round grade on both Notre Dame defensive linemen Jarron Jones and Isaac Rochell.
Same grade. Two vasty different players.
During a media conference call previewing the 2017 draft — which begins April 27 in Philadelphia — McShay discussed the two Irish linemen.
“Where do you take these guys?” McShay said. “The upside is clearly with Jones. The consistency and knowing what you get is with Rochell. I gave them both fifth-round grades when it was all said and done. One you know what you’re getting and other you don’t, but the potential is that much better with Jones than it is Rochell.”
Both flashed immense talent at times during their Notre Dame careers. Jones suffered several injury setbacks, while Rochell was a model of consistency — though with a lower ceiling.
The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Jones had 45 tackles, two sacks and a team-high 11 tackles for loss as a fifth-year senior. The 6-4, 290-pound Rochell had 55 tackles, one sack and seven tackles for loss as a senior team captain.
McShay said he has just recently watched film on Jones and Rochell, Notre Dame’s two players likely to be selected after quarterback DeShone Kizer.
McShay on Jones:
“You’ve got one guy in Jones who has a lot of ability. I mean he’s got a lot of ability,” McShay said. “He moves well. Thirty-five-and-a-half inch arms and 85 3/8-inch wingspan. That’s ridiculous.
“His football character is in question, let’s put it that way. He played 36 games, only 18 starts with all that talent. He was nicked up. He has the Lisfranc (foot injury), he had the torn MCL. It seemed like this past year was the first time he was really kind of healthy. The tape is up and down. Is he going to have the self-discipline to stay in shape and do what he needs to do to be successful and maximize what is a very loaded toolbox.”
McShay on Rochell:
“You’ve got Rochell who doesn’t really have the skillset that Jones has,” McShay said. “He’s got some limitations, that’s the best way to put it. He’s 6-4, 280. He runs a 4.9 (40-yard dash). Solid numbers but nothing special. But he plays his tail off. You watch him versus the run and he can set a strong edge, he can take on blocks. He chases, he pursues. He’s just never going to be a really good pass rusher, but he’s strong and consistent versus the run.”
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