Steelers take massive risk in latest mock draft
Much of how the Pittsburgh Steelers operated in free agency indicates what their plans for the NFL Draft are. Offensive tackle is surely to be a targeted position. They have two top-32 picks to address the need, and this class sets them up perfectly to find the right one. Is that Ohio State Dawand Jones? […]
Much of how the Pittsburgh Steelers operated in free agency indicates what their plans for the NFL Draft are.
Offensive tackle is surely to be a targeted position. They have two top-32 picks to address the need, and this class sets them up perfectly to find the right one.
Is that Ohio State Dawand Jones? That's a huge question on its own.
Jones is undoubtedly the largest player in the Draft, standing a massive 6-8 and officially weighing 374 pounds. That makes him equally imposing to edge rushers as he is risky as a prospect.
The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner's latest mock draft has the Steel Curtain landing Jones with the 32nd pick after taking Clemson edge rusher Myles Murphy with the 17th pick.
On tape, Jones is well worth the first pick of the second round. The career right tackle was as consistent as they come for the Buckeyes. In true pass sets, he allowed just two pressures against a strong schedule at just 21 years old. He's proven in situations he'll be counted on if he's to protect the right edge for Kenny Pickett.
The issue is his size and a lack of testing data. Jones opted not to do any testing drills at either the NFL Scouting Combine or his pro day aside from the 40-yard dash. His 40 time of 5.33 is very good for how large he is, but the unknowns elsewhere create pause.
Not partaking in anything during his pro day also creates questions. It could've been a specialized workout to showcase what he does best for NFL scouts, but he chose to do nothing. That only creates more questions rather than answering them.
Regarding his weight, very few tackles have consistently succeeding playing so close to 400 pounds. New Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. is a good exception, but there's a reason why most tackles don't eclipse 350 pounds.
Pittsburgh could fall in love with the tape and trust they'll manage Jones' weight accordingly, but if he ultimately doesn't pan out, the warning signs will have always been there.
