Browns Sign Dawand Jones, Wrap Up Their 2023 Draft Class
The Cleveland Browns got their last draft pick under contract on Monday signing offensive tackle Dawand Jones. Their first of two fourth round picks, the hulking tackle is cross training to be viable at both tackle spots.
Jones wasn't expected to be available in the fourth round. The consensus boards put him as a late first or early second round pick, but questions regarding his dedication to football and his weight were apparently enough to drop Jones to the third day of the draft.
Listed 6'8" 374 pounds, Jones was dominant at Ohio State at right tackle. He didn't give up a sack this past season and barely yielded any pressure. Jones also thrived in the running game. His straight line speed and sheer size made it nearly impossible for opponents to slow him down or get out of his way.
Jones spent at least some of his time at rookie minicamp repping at left tackle. He's expected to play both spots, but if he can simply play at the level he did for the Buckeyes in the NFL, it may not be long before he finds himself in the starting lineup.
With the signing of Jones, the entire Browns 2023 draft class is under contract as the team moves into the next phase of their offseason programs, OTAs. Signing the deal eliminates any potential concerns over suffering an injury in training and allows Jones to get right to work, especially since he only lives a couple hours down the road.
