MOBILE — Throughout the years, the Jets have tried to repair their offensive line with numerous gamers.
As Gang Green might probably goal that space on this 12 months’s draft, there’s a gigantic participant who may very well be an answer on the deal with place.
Ohio State deal with Dawand Jones has been transferring up boards early in the course of the pre-draft course of. Tuesday’s efficiency on the Senior Bowl did nothing to harm his inventory.
Jones dominated throughout his first Senior Bowl observe as he overpowered Notre Dame defensive finish Isaiah Foskey and Army defensive finish Andre Carter throughout one-on-one drills all through the day.
His efficiency was so spectacular that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was impressed.
“I went up against a lot of good pass rushers at Ohio State, so I feel like it translated over to here,” Jones mentioned about his efficiency.
“I’m down to 12 percent body fat, so it’s a lot down from where I was during the season. It is down from like 3 percent, so I pride myself on that. I feel like I had a sharp day all around today.”
Jones’ official measurements on the Senior Bowl had been 6-8 and 375 kilos, 16 kilos heavier than he was listed on Ohio State’s official roster. But he’s in nice form for a person his dimension, as Jones was transferring round nicely on the offensive line and blocking defenders from numerous angles.
During Tuesday morning’s measurements, Jones’ wingspan of 89.5 inches is the longest a participant has ever measured in Senior Bowl historical past. His wingspan is a typical wingspan of an individual that’s the peak of 7-5.
Jones is a bodily imposing participant, as he can wipe a defensive participant out on any given snap resulting from his energy and dimension. He additionally has glorious method as he depends on extra than simply his bodily instruments to win matchups with defenders.
Entering the draft course of, Paris Johnson Jr. was the Ohio State offensive lineman scouts raved about as he’s projected as a prime 10-15 choose general. However, Jones has made a reputation for himself for the reason that starting of the 2022 season.
Pro Football Focus gave Jones an 83.8 grade, the fourth highest for any deal with eligible within the 2023 NFL Draft. His grade was barely larger than Johnson’s (83.4).
Jones began the final two seasons for the Buckeyes, as he was a full-time starter.
He has 40 video games beneath his belt on the collegiate degree, together with 26 begins at largely proper deal with. During the 2022 season, Jones was a consensus All-American at deal with as he was the primary Buckeyes participant to attain that feat since Pro Football Hall of Famer Orlando Pace in 1996.
The Jets have loads of selections to make about their offensive line this offseason as they featured 11 gamers, with seven of them ultimately ending up on injured reserve in some unspecified time in the future. Starting proper deal with George Fant and middle Connor McGovern are each impending free brokers and left deal with Duane Brown, who handled a shoulder aliment your entire season, might resolve to retire.
Jones mentioned he spoke with the Jets in the course of the Senior Bowl together with the opposite 15 groups which might be represented in Mobile. He mentioned he’s a swing deal with, however Jones is keen to play wherever they want him.
“The main thing I want to bring is my length and size,” Jones mentioned. “Lots of people don’t have that on their O-line.
“You bring that and you can bring a mauler as well in the run game. I can bring that asset to a lot of teams.”
If the Jets had been so as to add Jones in both Round 1 or 2, this could be the second straight 12 months the group has drafted an Ohio State participant. Last 12 months, the Jets drafted large receiver Garrett Wilson tenth general. They additionally drafted tight finish Jeremy Ruckert within the third spherical.
Jones and Wilson have a detailed relationship as they’ve remained shut. The two gamers got here into the identical recruiting class collectively as Jones stored an eye fixed on Wilson’s rookie season the place he registered 83 catches for 1,103 yards and 4 touchdowns.
“He had an amazing season as two Buckeyes [Saints receiver Chris Olave] could be rookie of the year,” Jones mentioned.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com