Player: Dawand Jones
School: Ohio State
Measurables:
- Height: 6’8” (NFL Combine)
- Weight: 374 (NFL Combine)
- 40: 5.35 (NFL Combine)
- 10 Yard Split: 1.92 (NFL Combine)
- Bench: DNP
- Vertical Jump: DNP
- Broad Jump: DNP
- 3 Cone: DNP
- 20 Yard Shuttle: DNP
- Other Notes: For a guy that weighs 374, a 5.35 is pretty good. He moved okay at the combine. I wouldn’t call him a winner or a loser.
Graded Offensive Line Traits:
- First-Level Run Blocking: 6.75/10
- Second-Level Run Blocking: 5.25/10
- Pass Blocking: 7.25/10
- Blitz/Stunt Pickup: 5.5/10
- Pulling(if applicable): NA/10
- Footwork: 4.5/10
- Hands: 7/10
- Initial Contact: 6.5/10
Prospect Grade: 42.75/70; 61.1%- Starter with the potential to be a great starter
Projected Draft Day: Round 2
Player Comparison: Mekhi Becton-ish/ Shades of Trent Brown
Player Summary:
Jones, a player also known as Big Thanos, is a mountain of a man. Jones is a pretty good run blocker at the first level and is very solid in pass pro. He uses his hands well and makes strong initial contact although it can be inconsistent. Jones definitely has the power in his hands to deliver crushing first blows though.
Jones does worry me as a prospect though. He is a top heavy prospect who reaches way more than you would like to see. Jones reaching could be much worse than for a different offensive line prospect. Jones needs to learn to keep a “proud chest” and strong center of gravity. My guess as to why he reaches is because his foot work needs a decent amount of work. He definitely moves well for his size, but his lateral quickness and overall foot speed are rough. When he is out in space or trying to get to the second level on run plays he can struggle to sustain blocks or make contact at all. Although he could probably start on day one for someone, I would like to see him sit for a year and work on his foot work in particular, unless the team who drafts him is able to fix that during camp, then I would be okay with him starting day one.