2015 NFL Draft: Cowboys get A- for picking CB Byron Jones at 27

[Stephan Bobb]

2015 NFL Draft: Cowboys get A- for picking CB Byron Jones at 27

By Ryan Wilson | CBSSports.com

April 30, 2015 11:01 pm ET

Byron Jones is headed to Dallas to team up with the Joneses. (Getty Images)

With the 27th pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select University of Connecticut cornerback Byron Jones.

CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco LOVES the pick: Jones -- A- They never thought this kid would be here. They have a major need at corner, and they land one. He's much more than just an athlete.

For people who don't intently follow UConn football -- and let's be honest, that's most of the football-watching world -- Jones came out of nowhere at the February combine when his broad jump measured 12'3" and his vertical was 44.5 inches and immediately made his way into the first round of most mock drafts.

Of course, Jones didn't just materialize into an NFL-caliber cornerback; he's played at a high level during his UConn career, which was cut short last season because of a shoulder injury. But his coach, Bob Diaco, who was previously Notre Dame's defensive coordinator, was singing Jones' praises last offseason.

"I think he will be one of the best players in the country,” Diaco said last summer. “Everyone will see it eventually when they put him in those compression shorts (at combines). You will see a tall, long, lean and fast and explosive and athletic player. His numbers, with our developmental process, you are going to see at the end of the day one of the best tangibly gifted cornerback players in the country.

"Then you factor in this incredible resume socially, academically, he's an ‘A' student and on all the committees. At that position, he has some intangible traits that are an incredible commodity.”

Jones will upgrade a secondary that struggled at times last season (the pass defense ranked 22nd, according to Football Outsiders). And with Morris Claiborne likely gone after the 2016 season, Jones makes a lot of sense.

Just one request, Byron:

More on Jones from NFLDraftScout.com's Rob Rang and Dane Brugler: "Often lined up in press coverage at UConn, showing the balance, aggression and confidence to compete for early playing time in a similar scheme in the NFL. ... Sound tackler who breaks down well and uses his long arms to lasso ball-carriers. Voted a team captain as a senior."

Comparison: Prince Amukamara, Giants: By suffering a season-ending shoulder injury midway through his senior season, Jones didn't earn all-conference or all-star game attention but the tape shows an instinctive, athletic defender with the size, toughness and work ethic to project as a future NFL starter.

Topics: Morris Claiborne, Prince Amukamara, Ryan Wilson, Dallas Cowboys, NFL