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Cardale Jones Should Enter 2015 NFL Draft

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By @bradberreman24

Cardale Jones, Ohio State, NFL Draft, 2015 NFL Draft

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Ohio State Buckeyes were down to their third-string quarterback in the midst of their run to a national title, with Cardale Jones starting under center for the final three games on the big stages of the Big Ten Championship Game and both playoff games. In those three contests, all wins obviously, Jones averaged 277.3 total yards per game with six total touchdowns (five passing, one rushing), and he threw just two interceptions in 75 pass attempts.

As a third-year sophomore, Jones can declare for the 2015 NFL Draft. After Monday night’s game he said he has not made a decision about the future yet, and with a short window before Thursday’s deadline for underclassmen to declare it looks fairly likely he will stay in school. But I think Jones should seriously consider declaring for the draft in the next few days, with very few, if any, promises coming regarding his future in college.

The Buckeyes have what looks like a good problem at quarterback looking toward next year, with Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett also in the mix right now. Miller can transfer and play immediately for a new school next season, since he has graduated from Ohio State, but for what it’s worth head coach Urban Meyer said he expects Miller to be back with the Buckeyes next season. Jones could also theoretically choose to transfer, but I think that move would be a bigger risk than declaring for the NFL Draft this spring. Simply put, sitting out a year with a move to another school would not be good for his development.

It’s dangerous to draw any big conclusions based on such a small sample size, particularly when opponents did not have a lot to go on when preparing for Jones. But his size (6’5″, 250 lbs.) and physical tools have brought comparisons to both Daunte Culpepper and JaMarcus Russell at this very early stage. It’s worth noting that Culpepper did not attempt a pass during his rookie season (1999), before taking over as the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback and being a productive player for a handful of seasons. On the other hand, Russell lasted just three seasons after being the No. 1 pick in 2007 and is now considered one of the biggest draft busts ever.

Jones has put himself into the competition to be Ohio State’s starting quarterback next season, but if not for Miller and Barrett both going down to injury during this just-concluded season we wouldn’t know his name. Sitting on the bench for the Buckeyes next season would allow him to stay healthy, yes, but at this point Jones needs to play at the collegiate level to keep his development going. That opportunity may not come again at Ohio State, even if Miller transfers or declares for the draft himself, and going elsewhere would not offer Jones any guarantee of success.

I think Jones would benefit greatly from being on an NFL roster next year, while sitting behind a proven veteran signal caller and learning a pro offense. Only a few teams clearly fit that bill right now, and any team that had that situation would be unlikely to use a first-round pick on Jones if he can’t contribute immediately at a position of need.

I understand if Jones wants to wait a year to enter the draft, when his chances to be a first-round pick could theoretically be better. But his level of playing time at Ohio State is far from guaranteed at this point, and he could easily be No. 3 on the depth chart when the 2015 season starts. If he is going to sit on the bench next season, I think Jones should do it in the NFL with that level of coaching at his disposal.

Brad Berreman is a Columnist and Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Connect with him on Twitter or Google +.

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