Two former Tennessee Vols teammates are set to reunite in the NFL this season. On Monday, the New Orleans Saints officially signed wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. to a one-year deal, but with an interesting twist—Jones will transition to playing running back for the Saints.
This move reunites Jones with former Vols cornerback Alontae Taylor, who has been a key contributor to the Saints’ defense since being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Jones and Taylor played together at Tennessee during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, and now they’ll share the field again in New Orleans.
Jones, a third-round pick by the Chicago Bears in the 2022 NFL Draft, struggled to find his footing as a wide receiver in Chicago and was released during the 2024 season. He later joined the Carolina Panthers after being signed off the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad, appearing in two games last season.
In New Orleans, Jones will join another former Vols standout, running back Alvin Kamara, in the Saints’ backfield. The reunion of Jones and Taylor, along with the addition of Kamara, adds a touch of Tennessee flavor to the Saints’ roster as they look to make an impact in the upcoming season.
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