The Pitt Panthers have their first player drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft.
All-American defensive end Patrick Jones was selected in the 3rd round (90th selection) by the Minnesota Vikings. Jones becomes the first Pitt defensive end drafted since Greg Romeus was a 7th round pick of the New Orleans Saints in the 2011 NFL Draft.
The 2020 first team All-ACC defensive end finished his career at Pitt with 117 tackles, 22 sacks and five forced fumbles. Jones was a starter on Pat Narduzzi’s defense for the last two seasons.
Following this past season, many people had different opinions on where Jones would get selected, as it ranged early one as a late first round pick to most recently going between the fourth and fifth rounds.
Jones becomes the second Pitt player to get picked high by the Vikings in the last couple seasons. In 2018, right tackle Brian O’Neill was selected in the 2nd Round.
