Jets Should Pick This Offensive Lineman in Second Round of 2023 NFL Draft
With the Jets' offensive line in shambles, there's no better time to turn our attention towards Ohio State's Dawand Jones on the day the NFL Scouting Combine begins.
This offensive right tackle is a really big deal.
Why's that?
It's because Jones himself is big.
He stands at 6-foot-8 and 359 pounds. At the Senior Bowl, he officially measured out to have a 89.5 inch wingspan (which is the equivalent to someone standing at 7-foot-5).
Wow.
Now that's the definition of a big man.
Not only is he big, but he can play too. In fact, on game film he looks like the perfect solution for New York. He's a plug-and-play prospect who can help the Jets avoid a crash landing in 2023.
There's just no way New York can head into next season with only Max Mitchell at RT. Last season, he had to step away with a serious blood clot issue. Nobody even knows at this point if will be able to play again.
Even before the blood clot issue surfaced for Mitchell, I had a C- grade on this 2022 fourth-round pick based on his college game film. Mitchell is a guy who blocks in pass protection like a run blocker, and that's just not going to cut it against the kind of speed and athleticism that's coming off the edge.
Mitchell looks more like a solid backup.
That leaves New York with nobody else at RT under contract.
While the rest of the Jets' free world is picking out their franchise quarterback on social media, I'm trying to figure out who's going to protect him.
Jones would be a huge step in the right direction. No pun intended.
I'm not seeing this Ohio State big man as a first-rounder, and for one of the rare times, neither is the consensus from the rest of the NFL Draft platforms.
Jones is currently projected by only 18.9% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round prospect (nflmockdraftdatabase.com). He's said to go No. 35 to the Indianapolis Colts.
... That's not too far away from where the Jets are projected to select in the second-round at pick No. 43.
Grading Dawand Jones
6-foot-8, 359 pounds
2021 game film reviewed: Penn State, Oregon and Michigan
2022 game film reviewed: Penn State, Wisconsin and Iowa
Grade: Second-Round (Starter with upside)
Talent upgrade for the Jets: Yes
Scouting Report
Strong and aggressive high-effort right tackle who uses his size to his advantage to get the job done in pass protection and run blocking a high percentage of the time. In pass pro, he showed a quick first step and the ability to maintain a nice wide base while sliding along the perimeter of the pocket. Shows good hand placement and delivers a strong punch at the point of attack. Looked smart and alert picking up stunts and blitzes. His biggest weakness in pass pro is matching up against elite outside speed and athleticism. Can get overextended and end up in a bind at the backdoor when challenged hard back inside against these types. Excellent positional run blocker who is surprisingly good looking pulling and getting out to the second-level. Seals off lanes effectively. Average sustain.
Bottom line:
With the 43rd pick in the second-round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the New York Jets select Ohio State offensive tackle Dawand Jones.
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