Steelers draft Broderick Jones in first round of NFL Draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers were rumored to be a potential trade-up candidate in the 2023 NFL Draft and as it turns out, that rumor has come to fruition, as the Pittsburgh Steelers have selected offensive tackle Broderick Jones from Georgia. The Steelers desperately needed to upgrade the left tackle position, and although they were in striking […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers were rumored to be a potential trade-up candidate in the 2023 NFL Draft and as it turns out, that rumor has come to fruition, as the Pittsburgh Steelers have selected offensive tackle Broderick Jones from Georgia.
The Steelers desperately needed to upgrade the left tackle position, and although they were in striking range of Jones, Pittsburgh decided to take no chances, trading the 17th and 120th overall pick for the New England Patriots 14th overall pick.
Jones is still raw in his pass protection, but many view him as the tackle with the highest upside in the draft, thanks to his elite movement skills and ability to grow into his body as he ages.
A to Z Sports' Tyler Browning evaluated Jones and wrote the following:
Has experience at LT and RT, but predominately played LT. Has special teams experience. Has shown he can get out in front of a 4 tech and seal them off. Will hook defenders if they are able to shoot into one of his gaps. Mirrors pass rushers at a high level. Can perform jumps sets with ease. Doesn’t generate a ton of torque with his kick slide. Can struggle to reach wide 9’s without the help of a chip block. Not getting enough torque limits him in how fast he is able to gain depth
Below is The Athletic's Dane Brugler's scouting report, as well:
A one-and-a-half-year starter at Georgia, Jones filled in for Jamaree Salyer in 2021 before becoming the full-time left tackle in 2022 in former offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s balanced scheme. Left tackle for the Bulldogs has become a feeder position to the NFL as Isaiah Wynn, Andrew Thomas and Salyer preceded Jones protecting the blindside in Athens. A former basketball player, Jones displays outstanding feet, coordination and recovery skills and disrupts the rhythm of rushers when he unlocks his hips and transfers power from his lower body to his hands.
