Revolution sign SuperDraft pick DeJuan Jones

The Revolution announced Monday morning the club has signed 2019 first-round SuperDraft selection DeJuan Jones.

As per club policy, terms of the deal were not announced. As a rookie, though, it is expected that Jones will make $56,250.

The Revs drafted the 21-year-old Jones 11th overall, two picks after the club selected Generation Adidas player Tajon Buchanan last month. And suffice it to say, Jones has had a solid preseason with the Original Ten outfit, as he showed technical ability on the ball, keeping possession and helping to set up several goals during the team’s recent trek to Florida.

Jones, who attended Michigan State University, scored 16 goals and added 14 assists in 75 appearances for the Spartans, en route to back-to-back Second Team All-Big Ten in 2017 and ’18, along with a trip to the College Cup semifinals last December.

Jones is listed as an attacking midfielder, but spent some time during preseason as a right back. Jones has pace and solid ability to whip in a cross from the flank.

With Jones officially under contract for 2019, New England now has 26 rostered players — the same as it had at the start of the 2018 season.

BSJ Analysis

Perfect timing, I’d say, given what we posted this morning.

Jones’ signing was a no-brainer, in my honest opinion. We saw some solid play out of Jones in the recent highlight packages, and helped set up Luis Caicedo’s goal from Saturday afternoon in Bradenton. Not a bad way to earn $56,250 for your first pro contract.

So, where does Jones fit into all of this? We’ve already mentioned just how crowded the midfield is, so I’m not expecting him to jump in and make waves right from jump street. If he does, fantastic. If anything, I’d expect him to compete and push others for a spot in the squad, but a majority of his playing time being a run-out during the US Open Cup competition.

But we’ve already said that Jones can play right back, and given the fact that Andrew Farrell is nursing an eye injury at the moment, it’s possible that the rookie could slide in as a squad player behind Brandon Bye.

Of course, with the way Bye played during the tail end of the Florida trip, I’d much rather Jones get the start ahead of Bye — but it all depends on how he trains this week.

Now…

With Jones under contract, what’s next? Do the Revs announce the Giles Phillips loan deal? Do we get the promised second Designated Player?