2012 NFL Draft: Chandler Jones, Syracuse Defensive End, Selected No. 21 By New England Patriots

Former Syracuse defensive end Chandler Jones became the second Big East player selected in the 2012 NFL Draft when the New England Patriots made him the 21st pick.

As a New England Patriots fan, I love this pick, even if the Patriots had to give up the 27th pick and their third rounder (93rd overall). Jones missed five of the Orangemen’s 12 games in 2011, yet still had 39 tackles and 4.75 sacks.

I saw him play in his third week back from injury  against the UConn Huskies at Rentschler Field. Jones made seven tackles and a sack, chasing around a fidgety Johnny McEntee all night long.

In a way, Jones reminds me of Richard Seymour, when he became a 3-4 defensive end, with his style of play and football smarts. Jones isn’t quite as strong as Seymour, but he’s physical and crafty as a pass rusher and disciplined against the run.

Not to mention his brother Art plays defensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens and his other brother Jon Jones just retained his title as UFC’s light heavyweight  champion, pummeling Rashad Evans with the best use of elbows in a fight since The Rock retired “The People’s Elbow”.