Jones' brother, Art, plays for the Baltimore Ravens, while his other brother, Jon, is the UFC's light heavyweight champion.
Syracuse defensive end Chandler Jones (99) celebrates after sacking West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith during last season's game. Jones was selected as the 21st pick overall by the New England Patriots in the first round of the NFL football draft at Radio City Music Hall, Thursday, April 26, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Kevin Rivoli, File)FOXBOROUGH — Chandler Jones isn't shy about his career aspirations.
The New England Patriots first-round draft pick wants people to look at him in same light as Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers.
"Julius Peppers is a great player," the rookie defensive end said when asked who he would like to play like.
The Patriots are hoping for the same from Jones after trading up six spots in the first round of Thursday's draft to nab the Syracuse product.
The knock on Jones is that he's still a bit raw and may need to add some weight to his 6-foot-5 265-pound frame, but some talent evaluators believe that he has the ability to one day be considered the best player to come out of the 2012 draft.
Jones has 4.87-second speed in the 40-yard dash and his 35-inch vertical jump was among the best of all defensive ends at the scouting combine, thanks in part to his long arms (35.5 inches).
“Chandler is a little younger and has a little less experience coming out early; he missed part of the season last year,” coach Bill Belichick said of Jones, who had 4.5 sacks over seven games last season. “But (he’s a) very talented player.”
It also doesn't hurt that he comes from strong bloodlines. He has one brother, Art, who plays defensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, and another, Jon, who is currently the UFC's light heavyweight champion.
Chandler has trained with Jon, using MMA methods to help improve his hand skills, but has tactically avoided getting into the octagon him.
"Do I ever fight with Jon? No, we don't fight at all," Jones said. "He’s a professional fighter; that's what he’s paid to do and I respect that."
The brothers remain close and try to get together whenever they can despite their busy schedules. Chandler and Art were in the front row last week when Jon, also known as "Bones," defended his title Saturday against Rashard Evans at UFC 145 in Atlanta.
When it comes to Art, Chandler has found that his big brother’s best guidance has come when helping him deal with issues away from the field.
"(Art has) taught me a lot going through this whole draft process," Chandler Jones said. "He was basically telling me that the way I carry myself off the field, I’m not just representing myself, I’m representing the organization. I feel like having a brother that’s in the NFL is a great advantage."
It may take some time for Chandler to live up to his goals. He projects as a defensive end in both the 3-4 and 4-3 alignments and should be given the opportunity to plug the hole created by the departures Mark Anderson (signed with Buffalo) and Andre Carter (recovering from quad surgery).
Together those two combined for 20 of New England’s 40 sacks last season, and it may take Jones at least a year before he can match their production.
“Well yeah, I think, you know, any player at that age still has room to develop and mature as an athlete. I don’t know,” Belichick said. “We’ll see. He’s a pretty well put together kid. I don’t think he’s going to be 295 (pounds) if that’s what you’re asking. I wouldn’t say that, but could he gain five or 10 pounds? I don’t know. We’ll see. Put him in the program and work with him.”
The potential is there. Now Jones just has to work to develop it.
"Coach Belichick picked me for a reason," Jones said, "and I'm excited and happy that I'm a Patriot now."