I’ve mocked Jones to the Steelers more than once, because he’s a top-tier power tackle who I believe could nuke everybody in the NFL were you move him to guard. Wherever Pittsburgh lines him up, Jones absolutely fits the Steelers’ offensive mentality, and he’ll be a major asset right off the bus.
Height: 6′ 5⅜” (45th percentile) Weight: 311 (42nd)
40-Yard Dash: 4.97 (93rd)
10-Yard Split: 1.74 (79th)
Bench Press: N/A
Vertical Jump: 30″ (73rd)
Broad Jump: 108″ (76th)
3-Cone Drill: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
Wingspan: 82 3/4″ (69th)
Arm Length: 34¾” (74th)
Hand Size: 10⅝” (87th)
Bio: A five-star recruit out of Lithonia High School in Lithonia, Georgia, Jones was the No. 2 offensive tackle prospect in his class behind only Paris Johnson, Jr. He got his first offer from Georgia when he was just a sophomore, and though he considered offers from other big schools, he chose to stick with the Bulldogs. He was Freshman All-SEC in 2021 and played left tackle in Georgia’s College Football Championship win over Alabama. Jones was the fixture on the left side after Jamaree Salyer moved on to the NFL, starting all 15 games as he was able to experience back-to-back national championships. Last season, he allowed no sacks, two quarterback hits, and seven quarterback hurries in 470 snaps at left tackle.
Stat to Know: Runners going behind Jones in his gaps averaged 3.5 yards per carry before contact last season.
Strengths: Jones has a strong lower body which he uses to create a solid base, and though he’s more of a fighter than a technician, his steps through the arc are generally good enough to keep wide rushers at bay.
And we all remember this play from the College Football Championship, where Jones got to the second level and took TCU safety Mark Perry into outer space on this Stetson Bennett touchdown run.
Weaknesses: Jones can get a bit ratchety with his kicksteps, causing him to address his opponent later and with less leverage than he should. When that happens, his base tends to go out the window, and he’ll get pushed back more often than you’d like.
Jones also needs to avoid dropping his head around the arc, because when he does that, speed rushers like LSU’s BJ Ojulari can explode on him. He looks to cut too often when he should be finishing the rep through the arc.
Conclusion: The more I watch Jones, the more I think that with his issues in space as a pass-blocker, his predilection for finishing violently, and his target awareness at the second level, he could be an outstanding NFL guard. I wouldn’t necessarily put him there without giving him a shot at tackle at the next level; all I can say is that the more I watched Jones, the more I thought, “Yup. He’s a guard, and a really good one.” Maybe it’s just me.
NFL Comparison: Joel Bitonio. Selected by the Browns in the second round of the 2014 draft out of Nevada, Bitonio was a college left tackle who excelled immediately and consistently at left guard. Bitonio brought a nasty streak, a great skill set for the interior, and the obvious desire to improve to the position, and he’s been a top 3 guard in the NFL for a long time. Jones could have the same future with such a conversion.
