I'm hopeful as well. A lot will depend on how Jones is used. JPP and Aldon Smith were put into near ideal situations for them and you can see the results. Jones seems to do best when he has the option to speed rush outside. During the draft, I heard the term "speed to power" and I really think it applies to Jones. Because of his height/arm length, a tackle simply can't let him get around the edge with an arm free since the risk of a strip is too great. If the tackle overstrides, Jones has the strength to push them back into the QB's lap. So even if he isn't getting sacks (and he didn't get a lot at Syracuse), he is making the pocket chaotic.
This is why Belichick trades up for Jones and trades down off of Matthews. Matthews (who also plays in a situation ideal for him) gets handled cleanly an inordinate amount of the time simply by escorting him around the pocket. The Packers accept this because of their ability to create confusion and turnovers. This would drive Belichick absolutely insane.
I also don't believe it is a coincidence that Hightower was drafted along with Jones. Hightower isn't track-fast but he is a blur and arrives with authority when rushing between the tackles.
If the Patriots run a vanilla scheme (3-4 or 4-3) like they did last year, I hate this draft. Not that the players aren't talented, but you have to unleash them to realize that talent. I'd like to see a scheme where the Pats always show 5 potential rushers (including Jones outside and Hightower inside) and rush 3-5 of them depending on the play call. If this is the case, I can see a domino effect where the DBs become more effective since the QB and protection need to think more and aren't just running constant 3-step drops to their first reads.