Leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft starting on April 27th, we will be releasing several draft profiles of prospects who could potentially see themselves on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Next up...
Dawand Jones (Offensive Tackle), The Ohio State University, Senior
Dawand Jones stands in at 6'8" tall, weighing 375lbs, and is a mammoth of a man with huge upside for the team that selects him in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jay LaPrete - AP
Dawand Jones in pass protection against the Oregon Ducks in 2021 at Ohio Stadium
Overview
Jones is the largest prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft class, and it’s not even close. While taking measurements at the 2023 Senior Bowl, Jones' wingspan was measured at an insane 89.5", which is the largest wingspan ever recorded at the Senior Bowl. Jones' size and length makes him a highly desirable prospect for NFL teams, but concerns if he is actually too big paired with some athletic limitations make him more of a gamble than most would like.
Starting the last two seasons for Ohio State, Jones has proved he can hang with elite competition, while playing in a fast paced and elite offense. Jones will still only be 21 years of age on draft night, making him young for a true senior prospect.
Pros:
- Size, elite height and wingspan
- Strength in both lower half and upper body
- First step is better than average, impressive for his size
- Lands punches first more often than not
- Good demeanor, plays through the whistle
- Excellent hand technique
- Solid base which helps him not play outside his frame
- Experience playing in space
Cons:
- Size, concerns over if he gets too big
- Change of direction is poor
- Getting to second level is a chore
- Will stop feet in run game once he feels he has his man locked down
- Counters have given him problems in pass protection
- Too many penalties
The Steelers offensive line continued to grow throughout the 2022 NFL season, and looked to be one of their strong points by the end of the season. However, the organization could still look to secure an upgrade in the 2023 NFL Draft. Jones is strictly a right tackle, and while Chukwuma Okorafor currently holds that position down with solid play, there was a time where Steeler Nation was begging for an upgrade. That or Okorafor potentially switching back to the left side could result in the Steelers taking a hard look at Jones.
Hand Technique and Footwork
Jones is great early in plays with both his footwork and his hand technique. He is quick off the snap and will get himself to his initial spot quickly, likely knowing he needs to do that in order to beat defenders there. Jones also rarely gets himself off balance because he keeps his feet well spaced and doesn't try to over-extend himself. That paired with excellent initial punches will often stymie defenders. However, if defenders are able to beat Jones with speed or their counters, both his footwork and punches suffer.
Mobility
Out of his stance Jones displays good mobility for a man of his stature. He gets out quickly and doesn't hesitate to move to his spots to either cut off defenders or get depth in pass protection. In college he was asked often to work in space, but that was far from a strong suit, and understandably so. Keeping Jones moving one direction gives both him and the team the best chance for success.
Power and Strength
Good luck finding an instance on tape where Jones didn't look like the stronger man on the play. He has very good strength in both his upper and lower body, which allows him to immediately stop defenders with powerful punches, while also driving them back in the run game. No questions on if Jones has the needed play strength to succeed.
Jay LaPrete - AP
Dawand Jones beats his man out of his stance in 2021 against the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium
NFL Comparison - Trent Brown
There are limited comparisons because there are limited people on earth with the same size as Jones. Jones and Brown are both massive offensive lineman that possess a lot of tools that make NFL scouts salivate. Jones was a bit more proven coming out of college, but both had questions around the weight and overall play in space. Both Brown and Jones have elite strength and good initial burst in their hands and feet to make up for some of their other athleticism questions.
Draft Projection - Day 2
It is unlikely Jones is picked in the first round of the draft, but a solid performance at the Senior Bowl did help his draft stock. He likely falls somewhere in rounds two or three and if he finds the right spot, could be a steal when it is all said and done.
Let us know below what you think about Jones as a prospect and the potential of seeing him in the Black & Gold! What other prospects would you be interested in seeing a profile on? Click to comment below!
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