Player: Broderick Jones
School: Georgia
Measurables:
- Height: 6’5”(NFL Combine)
- Weight: 311(NFL Combine)
- 40: 4.97(NFL Combine)
- 10 Yard Split: 1.74(NFL Combine)
- Bench: DNP
- Vertical Jump: 30”(NFL Combine)
- Broad Jump: 9’(NFL Combine)
- 3 Cone: DNP
- 20 Yard Shuttle: DNP
- Other Notes: Really strong showing by Jones at the combine. Jumps weren’t too bad, but also weren’t great. He looked good in positional drills and even tried to throw the Steelers coach in the screen drill. Due to lack of testing by Paris Johnson, Jones has jumped up to my OT2… for now.
Graded Position Specific Traits:
- First-Level Run Blocking: 8.5/10
- Second-Level Run Blocking: 7.25/10
- Pass Blocking: 8/10
- Blitz/Stunt Pickup: 7.5/10
- Pulling(if applicable): 8/10
- Footwork: 6/10
- Hands: 7/10
- Initial Contact: 6.5/10
Prospect Grade: 58.75/80; 73.4%- At least a 1x pro bowler with multiple pro bowl potential
Projected Draft Day: Early-Mid Round 1
Player Comparison: Trent Williams
Player Summary:
Broderick Jones is a tackle prospect I thought was going to look raw when I watched him. Although there are aspects of his game that are still raw/undeveloped, he as an overall prospect was more refined than I would’ve thought. I think when you look at the position-specific traits like run blocking, pass blocking, blitz/stunt pickup, pulling, etc Jones looks really good. It’s when you look at the technical parts of his game, such as footwork, that I look and think he could use some NFL coaching and development.
Jones is able to pull and get out in front of the UGA backs to make a block, but this isn’t just any type of block. Jones wants to add you to his pancake total, he wants to make you regret putting on your uniform that day. Jones is also really good at getting up to the second level, although occasionally has issues securing second level blocks. In pass pro, Jones has a great ability to recover. The last positive note I have is that Jones is pretty good at seeing blitzes/stunts, and his ability to hand off and switch blocks on blitzes/stunts is really good.
The negative points I have about Jones starts with the fact that he just tries to throw people sometimes. Maybe it was something he did to players at the HS level, but as time goes on he needs to realize it is going to get harder and harder to throw people, just stick to your technique. Another point is that in pass protection Jones seems to struggle with speed rushers with a strong pass rushing skill set than he does with bull rushers. Now granted bull rushers will get the best of Jones occasionally and push him back, but Jones is usually able to hold his ground just long enough to protect his quarterback. When I first watched Jones I thought that maybe it was an issue with his strength level, but after watching him a second time, I kind of think it may be a footwork issue. Hopefully Jones will bench at the combine to help give me a better idea of where his strength level is at.
Overall, I think that Jones is slightly better as a run blocker than pass blocker, but is not bad in pass pro in the slightest. Jones’ grade currently still has him as a pro bowl caliber player, but I do believe that he is still raw and could develop even further with pro coaching. I feel like if he were to reach his ceiling we could see Jones being an All-Pro at some point in his career. I don’t know if he will go as high, but I could see Jones taking a similar career path to fellow Georgia LT Andrew Thomas. A guy who may struggle in his first year or two but will have a breakout season that will solidify him as a franchise player.
UPDATE 3/11:
A strong combine creates more clarity for Jones draft projection. I originally had him as a Round 1 because I thought it was a large range he could’ve been picked in. I now have him as an Early-Mid Round 1. Jones is still raw and doesn’t have as good of tape as other OTs, but someone is going to take a chance on the athletic upside in hopes they can unlock his full potential.