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Discover Jonathan Owens' Draft Journey: Talent Showcase And NFL Success

Trends January 09, 2025

Who is Jonathan Owens and What was his NFL Draft Stock?

Jonathan Owens was a standout safety for the University of Missouri from 2016 to 2020. As a redshirt senior, he had 53 tackles and three interceptions. Owens was projected to be a mid-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft but went undrafted. He was eventually signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent.

Owens was an athletic safety with good size and speed. He ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. Owens played with good instincts and was a hard hitter. He was also versatile and could play both safety positions.

Owens is a talented player that could develop into a starting safety in the NFL. He has the athleticism and instincts to make an impact. With more time and development, he could become a valuable contributor to the Houston Texans defense.

Jonathan Owens Draft Bio

Name	Jonathan Owens
Position	Safety
College	Missouri
Draft Status	Undrafted
Current Team	Houston Texans

Jonathan Owens Draft

Jonathan Owens, a talented safety from the University of Missouri, went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. Despite his impressive college career, Owens faced several challenges that likely contributed to his undrafted status. These challenges include:

Athleticism: While Owens possesses good size and speed, he lacks elite athleticism compared to other top safety prospects.
Tackling: Owens is a solid tackler, but he sometimes struggles to wrap up ball carriers securely.
Coverage: Owens has good instincts in coverage, but he can be susceptible to giving up big plays.
Experience: Owens only started for two seasons at Missouri, which may have limited his exposure to NFL scouts.
Competition: The 2022 NFL Draft class was particularly deep at the safety position, which may have made it more difficult for Owens to stand out.
Injury: Owens suffered a hamstring injury during his Pro Day, which may have raised concerns among NFL teams about his durability.

Despite these challenges, Owens has the potential to develop into a starting safety in the NFL. He has the size, speed, and instincts to be a successful player. With more time and development, Owens could become a valuable contributor to an NFL defense.

1. Athleticism

Athleticism is an important factor for NFL teams to consider when drafting players. While Owens has good size and speed, he lacks the elite athleticism of some of the other top safety prospects in the draft. This may have contributed to his undrafted status, as NFL teams may have been concerned about his ability to keep up with the faster and more athletic players in the league.

For example, at his Pro Day, Owens ran a 4.46 40-yard dash, which is a good time but not elite for a safety. He also had a vertical jump of 36 inches, which is again solid but not elite. In comparison, some of the other top safety prospects in the draft ran 40-yard dashes in the 4.3s and had vertical jumps of over 40 inches.

Owens' lack of elite athleticism may not prevent him from having a successful NFL career, but it is a factor that NFL teams will consider when making their draft decisions.

In conclusion, Owens' lack of elite athleticism is a potential weakness that NFL teams may consider when evaluating him as a draft prospect. However, he has other strengths, such as his size, speed, and instincts, that could make him a valuable contributor to an NFL team.

2. Tackling

Tackling is an essential skill for any safety, and it is one area where Owens has shown some inconsistency. While he is a solid tackler overall, he sometimes struggles to wrap up ball carriers securely, which can lead to missed tackles and big plays for the opposing offense.

There are a few reasons why Owens may struggle to wrap up ball carriers securely. First, he does not always have the best technique. He sometimes tries to tackle with his arms instead of his body, which can make it difficult to get a good grip on the ball carrier. Second, Owens is not the strongest player, and he can sometimes be overpowered by bigger ball carriers.

Owens' tackling issues were a concern for NFL teams during the draft process, and it is one of the reasons why he went undrafted. However, he has the potential to improve his tackling technique and become a more consistent tackler in the NFL. With more time and development, he could become a valuable contributor to an NFL defense.

In conclusion, Owens' tackling is a potential weakness that NFL teams will consider when evaluating him as a draft prospect. However, he has the potential to improve his tackling technique and become a more consistent tackler in the NFL. With more time and development, he could become a valuable contributor to an NFL defense.

3. Coverage

Coverage skills are crucial for safeties, as they are responsible for preventing opposing receivers from catching passes and gaining yards. While Owens has good instincts in coverage and is able to read quarterbacks well, he can sometimes be susceptible to giving up big plays.

Awareness and Communication
Owens has good awareness and is able to quickly identify and react to the opposing team's offensive formations and plays. He is also able to communicate effectively with his teammates, which is essential for ensuring that everyone is on the same page in coverage.
Speed and Agility
Owens has good speed and agility, which allows him to stay with receivers and make plays on the ball. He is able to change direction quickly and has good acceleration, which helps him to recover if he is beaten off the line of scrimmage.
Ball Skills
Owens has good ball skills and is able to make plays on the ball in the air. He has good hands and is able to track the ball well, which gives him a chance to make interceptions or break up passes.
Tackling
While Owens is a solid tackler, he can sometimes be susceptible to giving up big plays after making a tackle. This is because he does not always wrap up ball carriers securely, which can allow them to break free and gain additional yards.

Overall, Owens has good coverage skills and has the potential to be a valuable contributor to an NFL defense. However, he will need to improve his tackling in order to reach his full potential.

4. Experience

Experience is an important factor for NFL teams to consider when drafting players. Owens only started for two seasons at Missouri, which may have limited his exposure to NFL scouts. This is because NFL scouts often place a high value on players who have a lot of starting experience in college, as it is an indication that the player is ready to contribute at the NFL level.

Owens' lack of starting experience may have been one of the reasons why he went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, he has the potential to be a valuable contributor to an NFL team, and he will have the opportunity to prove himself in training camp and the preseason.

Here are a few examples of how experience can impact a player's draft stock:

In the 2022 NFL Draft, quarterback Kenny Pickett was drafted 20th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pickett was a four-year starter at the University of Pittsburgh, and he had a very impressive college career. He threw for over 12,000 yards and 80 touchdowns in his four seasons at Pitt, and he led the Panthers to an ACC Championship in 2021.
In the 2021 NFL Draft, wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was drafted 5th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals. Chase was a two-year starter at LSU, and he had a breakout season in 2019, when he caught 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns. Chase's impressive college career helped him to become one of the most sought-after wide receivers in the draft.
In the 2020 NFL Draft, quarterback Joe Burrow was drafted 1st overall by the Cincinnati Bengals. Burrow was a three-year starter at LSU, and he had a phenomenal season in 2019, when he threw for over 5,600 yards and 60 touchdowns. Burrow's impressive college career made him the consensus top pick in the draft.

These are just a few examples of how experience can impact a player's draft stock. While experience is not the only factor that NFL teams consider when drafting players, it is certainly an important one.

In conclusion, Owens' lack of starting experience may have been one of the reasons why he went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, he has the potential to be a valuable contributor to an NFL team, and he will have the opportunity to prove himself in training camp and the preseason.

5. Competition

The 2022 NFL Draft class was particularly deep at the safety position, which may have made it more difficult for Jonathan Owens to stand out. This is because NFL teams typically draft players based on their potential and how they compare to other players at their position. In a deep draft class, there are more players who have similar skills and abilities, which can make it more difficult for any one player to stand out.

In the case of Owens, he was one of many talented safeties available in the 2022 NFL Draft. Other safeties in the draft class included Kyle Hamilton, Dax Hill, and Jaquan Brisker, all of whom were considered to be first-round prospects. This meant that Owens had to compete with these other players for attention from NFL teams.

Ultimately, Owens went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. This is likely due to a combination of factors, including the competition at the safety position. However, Owens has the potential to be a valuable contributor to an NFL team, and he will have the opportunity to prove himself in training camp and the preseason.

The competition at the safety position in the 2022 NFL Draft is a good example of how competition can impact a player's draft stock. In a deep draft class, it is more difficult for players to stand out and get drafted. This is something that all players should keep in mind when preparing for the NFL Draft.

6. Injury

Hamstring injuries are common among athletes and can vary in severity from minor strains to complete tears. A hamstring injury can impact an athlete's speed, agility, and ability to change direction, which are all essential skills for a safety. As a result, NFL teams may be concerned about the durability of a player with a history of hamstring injuries.

Facet 1: Impact on Performance
Hamstring injuries can significantly impact an athlete's performance on the field. A player with a hamstring injury may be unable to run as fast, jump as high, or change direction as quickly as they could before the injury. This can put them at a disadvantage against opposing players and limit their ability to contribute to their team's success.
Facet 2: Risk of Reinjury
Once an athlete has suffered a hamstring injury, they are at an increased risk of reinjuring the same muscle. This is because the injured muscle is weaker and more susceptible to further damage.
Facet 3: Long-Term Effects
In some cases, a hamstring injury can have long-term effects on an athlete's career. If the injury is severe enough, it can lead to chronic pain, weakness, and stiffness. This can make it difficult for the athlete to continue playing at a high level.

In the case of Jonathan Owens, his hamstring injury may have raised concerns among NFL teams about his durability. Teams may be worried that Owens is more likely to re-injure his hamstring, which could limit his availability and impact his performance on the field. As a result, Owens may have been passed over by some teams in the draft due to concerns about his injury history.

Frequently Asked Questions about Jonathan Owens Draft

This section provides answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Jonathan Owens' NFL Draft experience.

Question 1: Why did Jonathan Owens go undrafted?

Jonathan Owens went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft likely due to a combination of factors, including his lack of elite athleticism, inconsistent tackling, susceptibility to giving up big plays in coverage, limited starting experience, and a hamstring injury suffered during his Pro Day.

Question 2: What are Owens' strengths as a safety?

Owens possesses good size, speed, and instincts. He is a solid tackler and has good ball skills. He is also versatile and can play both safety positions.

Question 3: What are Owens' weaknesses as a safety?

Owens lacks elite athleticism compared to other top safety prospects. He can be inconsistent in his tackling and is sometimes susceptible to giving up big plays in coverage. He also has limited starting experience and suffered a hamstring injury during his Pro Day.

Question 4: Which NFL teams are most likely to sign Owens as an undrafted free agent?

Owens is likely to be signed by an NFL team that is looking for depth and upside at the safety position. Some potential landing spots include the Houston Texans, New York Jets, and Philadelphia Eagles.

Question 5: What is the outlook for Owens' NFL career?

Owens has the potential to be a starting safety in the NFL. He has the size, speed, and instincts to be a successful player. With more time and development, he could become a valuable contributor to an NFL defense.

Summary: Jonathan Owens is a talented safety with the potential to be a starting safety in the NFL. He has good size, speed, and instincts. However, he lacks elite athleticism and has some inconsistencies in his tackling and coverage skills. Owens went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, but he has the potential to be a valuable contributor to an NFL team.

Transition to the next article section: Jonathan Owens' NFL Draft experience is a reminder that even talented players can go undrafted. However, it is also a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and determination. Owens is a talented player with the potential to be a successful NFL safety. With more time and development, he could become a valuable contributor to an NFL defense.

Conclusion

Jonathan Owens' NFL Draft experience is a reminder that even talented players can go undrafted. However, it is also a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and determination. Owens is a talented player with the potential to be a successful NFL safety. With more time and development, he could become a valuable contributor to an NFL defense.

Owens' journey is an inspiration to all athletes who dream of playing in the NFL. It shows that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Owens is a role model for young athletes everywhere, and his story is a reminder that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.