One of the Arizona Cardinals’ biggest needs on defense, heading into the draft, was the cornerback position because their depth is young and inexperienced outside their free agent acquisition, Sean Murphy-Bunting. Jess Root of Cards Wire previewed their cornerback depth ahead of the draft.
“They added Sean Murphy-Bunting in free agency but also tried to add Kristian Fulton. They have Garrett Williams returning and a trio of other second-year players in Kei’Trel Clark, Star Thomas and Divaad Wilson.
“But only Murphy-Bunting is an established starter, while Williams looked good in half a season. The other guys are question marks. The Cardinals should jump at a starting-caliber pick if one is available.”
The Cardinals drafted one of their three cornerbacks in the third round.
The Arizona Cardinals drafted a cornerback in the 3rd round
![The Arizona Cardinals Signed Their 3rd-Round Pick to a Rookie Contract 1 Arizona Cardinals, Monti Ossenfort](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/usa_today_22632321.0.jpg)
The Cardinals drafted Elijah Jones in the 3rd round, 90th overall of the 2024 NFL Draft.
He signed his rookie contract.
Elijah Jones signed his rookie contract
![The Arizona Cardinals Signed Their 3rd-Round Pick to a Rookie Contract 2 Boston College Eagles, Elijah jones](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_22405831.webp)
He signed a 4-year rookie contract worth $5,685,518 with a $954,920 signing bonus.
He spent the last six seasons in Boston.
Elijah Jones played six seasons with the Boston College Eagles
![The Arizona Cardinals Signed Their 3rd-Round Pick to a Rookie Contract 3 Boston College Eagles, Elijah Jones](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_21809425.webp)
Jones committed to the Eagles as a three-star recruit for the 2018 season. He would have a solid career with the team, playing 64 games and starting 41. He had 156 tackles, four TFLs, seven interceptions, and 36 pass deflections.
Jones played nine games, starting nine in 2023, with 25 tackles, five interceptions, eight pass deflections, and an 86.9 PFF Grade before an undisclosed, non-injury prematurely ended his season. He allowed 13 receptions on 40 targets for 194 yards, one touchdown, and an 18.1 passer rating. He had an 89.8 coverage grade, a 90.8 man coverage grade, and a 64.8 zone coverage grade per PFF. The ACC named him to their All-ACC First Team.
Lance Zierlein did a scouting report on Elijah Jones
![The Arizona Cardinals Signed Their 3rd-Round Pick to a Rookie Contract 4 Elijah Jones](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/usatoday-scaled.jpg)
Lance Zierlein of NFL Network did a scouting report on Jones.
“Scheme-dependent cornerback with excellent length and above-average ball skills to harass and overtake lesser receivers when it’s time to make the catch. Jones is a slender press-man corner with Cover 3 potential.
“His press is more irritating than disruptive, but he does a solid job of tracing routes and attacking throws for forced incompletions and interceptions. He can be beaten by route runners in off-man and can be late to open and chase vertical routes, creating long-ball opportunities.
“His long arms should help him compete against more muscular receivers when it’s time to stop the catch, but he won’t offer much in run support. Teams valuing ball production and length will move him up the board as a Day 2 prospect with CB3 upside.”
Will Elijah Jones start in 2024?
Ourlads currently has him listed as the backup right cornerback behind Murphy-Bunting. Unless something drastic happens, he will likely be a backup for the first few years of his career.
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