2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Dawand Jones





  • Dawand Jones, 6-8/374

  • Offensive Tackle

  • Ohio State


  • Dawand Jones Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Mean streak
  • Power run blocker
  • Bullies defenders out of their gaps
  • Turns and manipulates defenders
  • Blocks through the whistle
  • Finishes blocks with violence
  • Huge wingspan
  • Long arms – 36.38 inches
  • Serious drive blocker in the ground game
  • Strong hands to sustain blocks
  • Can anchor
  • Takes away second efforts
  • Good fit in a power-blocking system




  • Weaknesses:
  • Could struggle with speed rushers
  • Slow feet
  • Struggles to get depth in his drop
  • Waist bends too much
  • Very tall, leads to him playing too high
  • Gets into trouble when he plays too high
  • Feet get stuck in the ground
  • Struggles to mirror speed rushers
  • Not a good fit for a zone-blocking system


  • Summary: Jones was a multi-year starter for Ohio State at right tackle. He was a force as a run blocker who was a dependable pass protector for C.J. Stroud.

    Jones is tough run blocker who drives through the whistle. He can be a nasty lineman who bullies defenders at the point of attack. There are times when he is a beast in the ground game who can push defenders around at the point of attack. Jones does a nice job of placing his hands to get into the chest of defenders, and if Jones get a hold on them, they are in trouble because he will ride them out of their gap. With his mean streak and power, Jones will violently finish off defenders.



    In pass protection, Jones is a giant with height and length that makes it tougher to run around him. He has strong hands to sustain blocks and prevent second efforts. However because of his height, playing too high can get him into trouble, and he has to watch how he bends along with not letting his feet get stuck in the ground. Jones’ feet make him a fit for right tackle only because they can get tied up and keep him from getting some necessary depth in his drop. Jones has some athletic issues as well, and in combination with playing too high could lead to speed rushers giving him problems at the pro level.

    In the 2023 NFL Draft, Jones will most likely end up as a second- or third-round pick.



    Player Comparison: Jeremy Trueblood. Jones is reminiscent of former Buccaneers right tackle Trueblood. Trueblood was a second-round pick and a 6-foot-8 right tackle. Both Jones and Trueblood were bulls and physical run blockers with challenges in handling speed rushers. Trueblood had a solid, but unspectacular, career for Tampa Bay, and Jones has the potential to become a similar pro.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2023 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2023 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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