A massive human who has made a career of moving people, Ohio State offensive tackle Dawand Jones will hope his size and play can carry him to an early selection as he enters the 2023 NFL draft.
Here is everything you need to know about the Buckeyes big blocker:
Vitals
Height: 6-8
Weight: 374
Class: Senior
40 time: 5.35
Strengths
A dominant and versatile tackle at the collegiate level, Dawand Jones has excelled in protecting C.J. Stroud over the last two seasons. Jones was one of they keys in ensuring his quarterback was one of the least pressured in college football. Last season, Jones put it all together in the eleven games he played in, not allowing a single quarterback hurry or sack on the year.
As a pass protector, Jones is a boulder that is extremely difficult to move off his spot. His size, length, and strength give him an unbelievable anchor to sit on. and there is truly no option of going through him to get to the quarterback. When defenders do attempt to get around him, his massive wingspan and surprisingly quick feet allow him to seal off edges without much effort. Defenders do not have a chance if they cannot get an early jump on Jones, and they predictably get knocked or pulled to the grass once he gets his hands on them.
As a run blocker, Jones is an absolute mauler, using his length and size to punish any defender who cannot slip by him. On the move Jones made it look easy to bowl through multiple defenders who simply had no answers to his size, strength, and reach. In a box Jones is able to latch quickly, seal, and create massive gaps by dragging defenders out of the way with raw power. He will be a top-level run blocker at guard or tackle right away in the NFL.
Weaknesses
Being 6-8 creates a natural disadvantage in leverage, and it was not a thing Jones was able to correct. Defenders can use his naturally high pad level to their advantage and slip through early, and given his like of elite athleticism, it made recovery for Jones very difficult should he initially be beat.
Jones may struggle with speedy rip and dip defenders and good counter moves early in his career, as when left on an island he struggles to shift his weight accordingly and can be left in the dust when he does not reach containment quick enough.
Projection
Dawand Jones is going to have a lot of fans in the draft process, as there are not a lot of humans at his size and length that can play the way he does. His dominant last two years in college were a showcase of how ineffective it was to try and blow through Jones, and it was rare to find film where he really struggled against anyone.
Jones could struggle early in the adjustment to bigger and faster edge rushers who can bend around corners and counter better, but he will grow into the position and can be coached up on how to better use his balance and body. There were two ultra-talented tackles at Ohio State last year, and it would not be shocking to see both of them go early in the draft.
Projection: Top 40
