Sai'vion Jones DE/EDGE LSU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Sai'vion Jones DE/EDGE LSU
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
SUB-POSITION: VERSATILE DL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 02/03/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.72 seconds (75%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 21.7 DOB: 07/03/2003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SUB-POSITION: VERSATILE DL | |
Last Updated: 02/03/2025 | |
Draft Year: 2025 | |
40 time: 4.72 seconds (75%*) | |
Age: 21.7 DOB: 07/03/2003 | |
Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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Overall Rating: | 83.0 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
Offense Rating: |
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81% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
Tackling: |
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52% |
Pass Rush: |
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82% |
Run Defense: |
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79% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#146
Position rank:
#33
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College Games: 44 College Snaps: 1470 | ||
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Colby Wooden - Auburn |
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84% |
Isaiah Thomas - Oklahoma |
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83% |
Brennan Jackson - Washington State |
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77% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A three-sport athlete from St. James High School, Jones arrived at LSU as an intriguing but raw prospect after leading his school to their first state title since 1979. His multi-sport background in basketball and track & field pointed to natural athleticism, though translating those tools to the football field would be a gradual process.His trajectory at LSU reflects steady but measured development, working his way up from a rotational piece to earning consistent starting duties by his junior year. Jones started his final 27 games for the Tigers, though his impact was sometimes uneven. His senior season showed incremental improvement with 40 tackles, 7.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks - solid production that nonetheless left scouts wanting more given his physical gifts.
The 6'4 3/4", 280-pound edge defender had moments that showcased his potential, particularly in the 2024 opener against USC where he recorded two timely sacks. However, his impact often came in flashes rather than consistent dominance, finishing with eight QB hurries and two forced fumbles in his final campaign.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Good initial burst off the snap combined with NFL-caliber length creates advantages in the run game - can stack and shed when he maintains leverage
- Functional strength shows up against tight ends and tackles - repeatedly demonstrates ability to hold his ground at the point of attack
- Has shown improvement using his length to create separation - getting better at keeping blockers off his frame when he plays with proper technique
- Adequate power at the point of attack - can handle single blocks effectively when he maintains pad level
- Closes ground decently in pursuit - straight-line speed is sufficient when he has a clear path to the ball
- Generally sound in setting the edge - understands containment responsibilities and maintains gap discipline
- Athletic background translates to decent movement skills - changes direction adequately for his size
- Frame suggests scheme versatility - could potentially play multiple techniques depending on team needs
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Raw as a pass rusher - lacks counters and relies heavily on straight-ahead power moves that NFL tackles will handle
- Significant limitations bending the edge - stiffness in hips and ankles restrict his ability to turn tight corners
- Inconsistent pad level is a recurring issue - gets too high too often, negating his natural leverage advantages
- Hand usage needs considerable work - timing and placement are sporadic, leading to missed opportunities in the rush
- Concerning tackle efficiency - technique breaks down in space and misses pile up when he can't square up runners
Scouting Report: Summary
The film shows a defensive lineman who's built for the modern NFL but needs significant technical development to unlock his abilities. He's a player who wins with raw tools - length, strength, and straight-line speed - while struggling to piece together complete games. The flashes are there, particularly in run defense, but the down-to-down impact doesn't match his impressive frame.In the NFL, Jones will fit best in a 4-3 base defense that emphasizes power over finesse from its defensive ends. His anchor and length make him a natural fit as a base end who can squeeze down into a 4i-technique on early downs. The pass rush limitations severely cap his ceiling as a pure edge defender, but his functional strength and closing burst could make him disruptive rushing from interior alignments on passing downs.
The developmental timeline here is crucial - Jones needs at least a year of technical refinement before he can be trusted as more than a rotational piece. The athletic baseline and physical tools warrant a Day 3 selection, but expectations need to be managed. With focused coaching on hand usage and rush setup, there's a chance for Jones to grow into a versatile defensive line piece by year three. The ceiling has the potential to be pretty high, but the floor as an early-down run defender should keep him on an NFL roster.
Written By:
Bill Miller (SEC)
Sai'vion Jones percentiles vs other Defensive Ends (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Sai'vion Jones (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
125.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
42.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.