Chandler Jones may not have made himself a household name during his time as a member of the Syracuse Orange, but he's certainly helped himself out heading into the 2012 NFL Draft. The defensive end is rising up draft boards across the league and, according to Mike Mayock, where ever he ends up might not even be high enough to match his actual potential.

"I'm gonna make a statement," Mayock said recently, according to Mocking The Draft. "Three years from now, I'm gonna say Chandler Jones is the best defensive player to come out of this draft."

That says quite a bit about the defensive end's future in the NFL, or at least will lead to a lot of hype that is difficult to live up to, but Mocking the Draft sprinkled a bit of reality on the hype while looking at Jones' recent rise.

It's his first step, which at times was inconsistent, that leads to so much buzz. Jones will need to be coached up. He'll have to add strength. But if a team can figure out how to couple Jones' athletic gifts and length correctly, the comparisons to Pierre Paul may be more than just physical.

For all news and information regarding the Orange, please visit Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician.For lots more on the 2012 NFL Draft, you can check out Mocking the Draft.