NASHVILLE, Tenn. —The Tennessee Titans selected Penn State defensive tackle DaQuan Jones on Saturday with their first of two fourth-round picks (112th overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt and director of college scouting Blake Beddingfield said the tabbing of Jones adds size, versatility and toughness to the defensive line, as well as the leadership characteristics Jones displayed with the Nittany Lions during the turmoil at Penn State.
The Titans used their first of two fourth-round selections on Penn State DT DaQuan Jones. (AP Photos)
The 6-foot-4, 322-pound Jones started 23 of 46 games, recording 92 career tackles (48 solo), 4.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss.
"I'm going to come in there and bring some toughness," Jones said. "I am physical at the point of attack and can help stop the run. I just want to come in there and compete and have fun with the guys and try to bring the team closer to a championship."
Jones, whose first name is pronounced "DAY-qwan," said he is willing to play multiple positions and techniques across the defensive line and is comfortable at each spot.
"You saw the versatility (on film)," Beddingfield said. "He lined up all across the board and made plays from each spot. … I think he's a very consistent-type player."
Whisenhunt said working with Jones will allow coaches to determine the best spot or spots for him.
"He's an explosive player. He played a number of spots on their line," Whisenhunt said. "I think the thing that was attractive to us, he's a physical player, has a little pass-rush ability. You see that in what he does, but he's a good inside, physical force. For us, he'll be able to play all three positions inside and we'll get a chance to see where he fits."
Jones said he'll work to figure out his ideal playing weight to best suit his primary role.
"It's kind of difficult because you don't want to be too heavy where you are just a nose guard and you don't want to be too light where you go inside and get pushed around," Jones said. "You need to find that ideal weight and that's something that you get during training camp. You play and you work hard and you see where you feel comfortable weight wise. I think you find out the more you play and the scheme you are in, the more you play the better you feel comfortable and what you need to do to your body."
