Keeping It Heel
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2017 NFL Draft: North Carolina Tar Heels best fits

By Brandon Griffin

Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive tackle Nazair Jones (90) pumping his team up before facing the Stanford Cardinal at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive tackle Nazair Jones (90) pumping his team up before facing the Stanford Cardinal at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 14, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels safety Dominquie Green (26) and defensive tackle Nazair Jones (90) tackle Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Walton (1) at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The Tar Heels won 59 – 21. Mandatory Credit: Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels safety Dominquie Green (26) and defensive tackle Nazair Jones (90) tackle Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Walton (1) at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The Tar Heels won 59 – 21. Mandatory Credit: Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports /

Boom goes the Dynamite

Position: Defensive Tackle

Measurements: 6-foot-5 and 1/8, 304 lbs

Last Season: Had 70 total tackles, including 9.5 for a loss. Also had 2.5 sacks, deflected three passes, forced a fumble, and recovered one.

What is needed: Jones needs to go to a team that runs a 4-3 base defense. He is not a two gap defender and would not do well in a 3-4 base defense. This eliminates teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos, who both run the latter.

Best Fits: Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings

Dallas Cowboys: In Dallas, Jones would be joining a defense that allowed the second most rushing yards last season. Looking at the Tar Heels’ stats, this would not seem to be a good fit, as UNC ranked as one of the worst rushing defenses in the country.

However, Jones was not part of that problem. Additionally, Dallas’ current starting duo of defensive tackles combined for 35 tackles, one for a loss. Jones out-performed that on his own last season. He would be great for depth and an eventual replacement on the line.

Dallas holds the 133rd overall pick late in the fourth round. This would be a likely spot for them to take Jones.

Atlanta Falcons: Despite making the Super Bowl last season, the Falcons defense was not good. It ranked fifth-worst against the run, third-worst against the pass, and second-worst overall.

The Falcons just signed Dontari Poe in free agency. However, Dan Quinn cut his teeth in Seattle, and he learned that a team can never have too many defensive linemen. Jones would provide great depth and fit in well with the young unit.

Atlanta would likely use either the 136th pick or 174th pick to take Jones.

Minnesota Vikings: Unlike the other two teams, Minnesota had a good defensive unit last season. If the Vikings were to take Jones, he would provide great depth and also be given a much better opportunity to grow and develop in the NFL.

Not all players start right away. Zack Brown took his time to be successful and he finished second overall in tackles last season. The Vikings could draft Jones for depth with the 160th overall pick in the fifth round.

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