Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones is next up on our scouting report series ahead of the 2023 NFL draft.
When it comes to the Georgia product, you could make a strong argument that he is the biggest boom-or-bust prospect among all of the top offensive tackle prospects.
That type of duality naturally turns Titans fans into skeptics after the Isaiah Wilson disaster, but comparing Jones to Wilson simply because they’re polarizing prospects from Georgia is completely unfair to the former.
Wilson had issues both on and off the football field, while Jones’ issues revolve purely around football.
Jones is one of the hardest players in the draft to project because some teams value upside more than others. It truly wouldn’t shock me if he was the first tackle taken or if he ends up barely cracking the top five for his position group.
Jones will likely go through growing pains, but if he’s afforded patient and potent development, his selecting team could reap major benefits down the line.
This article is going to provide you with an educated opinion on the pros and cons of selecting the back-to-back national champion.
Before we get started, a quick reminder that unless noted otherwise, all of the grades and individual rankings that are included are my own opinions.
Jones has been a popular prospect to debate this entire draft season, so let’s go ahead and find out why.
Measurables
- Height: 6’5”
- Weight: 311 pounds
- Hand size: 10 5/8”
- Arm length: 34 ¾”
- 40 time: 4.97
- Relative Athletic Score: 9.57
College Accolades
- First-Team All-SEC (2022)
- 2X National Champion (2021-2022)
- All-SEC Freshman Team (2021)
2022 stats
- Pass-block snaps: 470
- Run-block Snaps: 463
- Hurries allowed: 7
- Quarterback hits allowed: 2
- Sacks Allowed: 0
Grades, Projections and Rankings
- Overall grade: 81.1 (first round)
- Ceiling projection: Top 10
- Floor projection: Late first
- Position rank: No. 4
- Consensus rank: No. 3
Reasons to Buy In
- Started nearly an NFL season’s worth of games in 2022 (15).
- Arguably has the highest ceiling in the draft among the top offensive tackles.
- A true physical specimen on the offensive line. There aren’t many humans who can carry 300-plus pounds the way he does.
- Athletic lineman who possesses the prototypical size, strength, and length to eventually become a consistently reliable starting LT in the NFL.
- Fantastic movement skills when working laterally, maneuvering in space, or climbing to the second level. He also has a genuine understanding of how to use his natural leverage to his advantage
- Surprisingly cerebral at the position and rarely gets stuck trying to diagnose a twist/stunt.
- Tone-setting blocker who plays through the echo of the whistle, often using his strength and power to easily displace defenders
Areas of Concern
- Only one full season of starting experience.
- Will likely go through growing pains if he’s asked to play right away.
- Needs extended time to polish his technique before he ever gets close to maximizing his potential to the fullest.
- Has to be way more consistent with the timing and hand placement of his punches.
- Occasionally struggles to remain balanced through contact, especially whenever he leaves his chest exposed.
- Makes it easy on opposing defenders to get him off balance by unnecessarily leaning and/or bending at the waist.
- Appears to be chasing the big block at times instead of making a concentrated effort to remain technically sound and/or make the smart play.
- Must do a better job of keeping his hands and feet in sync together.
Fit with the Titans
Jones is the true definition of a physical specimen. He stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs in at 311 pounds, and he looks like a rock-solid athlete as opposed to what most 300-pounders look like.
Tennessee has hinted in the past how it wants athletic offensive linemen who can protect the quarterback, displace the opposition in the run game, and get out in space to hit someone, all of which Jones does at a very high level.
Jones’ elite athleticism allows him to thrive whenever he’s allowed to get out in space and physically impose his will on someone.
He possesses the type of impressive movement skills that would do well in a zone-blocking scheme that allows him to work laterally, climb to the second level, and do things of that nature.
One of the most impressive things that stands out when watching the Georgia product is how he seemingly embraces every opportunity where he’s allowed to get out in front as a lead blocker in order to pave the way for his ball carrier.
Whether he’s pulling towards the alley or getting out to block on a screen, you can tell that he takes it personally whenever it’s his responsibility to lead the way for one of his teammates.
Jones may not be the most technically sound blocker in the draft, but he often compensates for it with his blend of length, power, and fluidity.
In pass protection, the former Bulldog can appear stiff at times, but he got the job done more often than not during his time at Georgia. Last season, he only allowed seven hurries, two quarterback hits, and zero sacks through 15 games (470 pass-block snaps).
Jones is far from a finished product, but he undoubtedly has all the tools in the shed to carve out a dominant career for himself if he can fine tune the technical side of his game.
Should the Titans select Jones, barring something dramatic happening, it’s a safe bet that we can pencil him in as the Titans’ starting left tackle.
However, considering he’s not exactly viewed as a Day 1, plug-and-play prospect, taking Jones at No. 11 overall would be a little rich for me personally.
Nonetheless, I would be all for giving someone like him a chance later on in the round if the Titans can find a way to trade back and pick up a few extra picks as well.
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