Falcons middle linebacker Deion Jones and weakside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell will be on the hot seat in their NFL debuts against Tampa Bay.
Jones, who was drafted in the second round, led LSU with 100 tackles last season. He played in 52 games and started 12, including 11 last season.
Jones impressed the veterans with his ability to quickly grasp pro concepts and showed that he can quickly diagnose plays in the exhibition season. Still, he has to improve his tackling.
Campbell is athletic and will add speed to the position. At 6-foot-4, he can quickly close on the ball carrier.
“I actually used to watch Deion Jones in college,” Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston said. “He reminds me of a young Kwon Alexander. He’s a great player.”
Campbell also is on the Bucs’ radar.
“The other guy (De’Vondre Campbell), I think he’s No. 59,” Winston said. “He’s a great player, but the thing about their defense is that they are going to be in the right places. We just have to execute.”
The Bucs know that Jones and Campbell will receive a lot of help.
“Football is the ultimate team game,” Winston said. “I know with guys like (Paul) Worrilow, I’m pretty sure those linebackers are not far off.”
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