Pitt Football: Top 4 prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft

Patrick Jones II and Jaylen Twyman will be leading the Pitt defense, fighting for sacks and a possible first round draft position.

Jones II, a two-year starter from Virginia opted to return to Pitt after a successful redshirt junior year where he accounted for 8.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. The 6-foot-5 defensive end was a major contributor alongside Twyman, making the Pitt defensive line one of the most feared groups in 2019 and one of the top returning groups in 2020.

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Jones II was one of the top defensive ends in the country, earning second team All-ACC honors. The decision to return to Pittsburgh looks to be a good decision, as Jones II looks to be one of the top edge rushers in the 2021 NFL Draft. He possesses great size and speed, making himself a physical challenge for college tackles and has body and physical attributes to make the jump to the next level.

As a full-year starter in 2019, Jones II’s 8.5 sacks ranked second on the team, only behind Twyman, and fourth in the ACC. Jones II was a force in the backfield, using his wingspan and strong hands to contribute four forced fumbles for the year. With Rashad Weaver and Keyshon Camp returning in 2020 after injuries, kept the pair out in 2019, the Pitt defensive line should have no problems living up to exceptions.

That should put Jones II in a comfortable position this upcoming April. Miami defensive end Gregory Rousseau was the second best pass rusher in 2019, behind only Ohio State’s Chase Young and looks to be the first pass rusher off the board in 2021.

While there is talent at the position, Jones II is in a position to be the second end off the board and could go as high as a mid-first.