Potential Jets draft target, Ohio State tackle Dawand Jones has standout day at Senior Bowl
MOBILE — Throughout the years, the Jets have attempted to fix their offensive line with various players.
As Gang Green could potentially target that area in this year’s draft, there is a gigantic player who could be a solution at the tackle position.
Ohio State tackle Dawand Jones has been moving up boards early during the pre-draft process. Tuesday’s performance at the Senior Bowl did nothing to hurt his stock.
Jones dominated during his first Senior Bowl practice as he overpowered Notre Dame defensive end Isaiah Foskey and Army defensive end Andre Carter during one-on-one drills throughout the day.
His performance was so impressive that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was impressed.
“I went up against a lot of good pass rushers at Ohio State, so I feel like it translated over to here,” Jones said about his performance.
“I’m down to 12 percent body fat, so it’s a lot down from where I was during the season. It is down from like 3 percent, so I pride myself on that. I feel like I had a sharp day all around today.”
Jones’ official measurements at the Senior Bowl were 6-8 and 375 pounds, 16 pounds heavier than he was listed on Ohio State’s official roster. But he is in great shape for a man his size, as Jones was moving around well on the offensive line and blocking defenders from various angles.
During Tuesday morning’s measurements, Jones’ wingspan of 89.5 inches is the longest a player has ever measured in Senior Bowl history. His wingspan is a typical wingspan of a person that is the height of 7-5.
Jones is a physically imposing player, as he can wipe a defensive player out on any given snap due to his strength and size. He also has excellent technique as he relies on more than just his physical tools to win matchups with defenders.
Entering the draft process, Paris Johnson Jr. was the Ohio State offensive lineman scouts raved about as he is projected as a top 10-15 pick overall. However, Jones has made a name for himself since the beginning of the 2022 season.
Pro Football Focus gave Jones an 83.8 grade, the fourth highest for any tackle eligible in the 2023 NFL Draft. His grade was slightly higher than Johnson’s (83.4).
Jones started the last two seasons for the Buckeyes, as he was a full-time starter.
He has 40 games under his belt at the collegiate level, including 26 starts at mostly right tackle. During the 2022 season, Jones was a consensus All-American at tackle as he was the first Buckeyes player to achieve that feat since Pro Football Hall of Famer Orlando Pace in 1996.
The Jets have a lot of decisions to make about their offensive line this offseason as they featured 11 players, with seven of them eventually ending up on injured reserve at some point. Starting right tackle George Fant and center Connor McGovern are both impending free agents and left tackle Duane Brown, who dealt with a shoulder aliment the entire season, could decide to retire.
Jones said he spoke with the Jets during the Senior Bowl along with the other 15 teams that are represented in Mobile. He said he is a swing tackle, but Jones is willing to play wherever they need him.
“The main thing I want to bring is my length and size,” Jones said. “A lot of people don’t have that on their O-line.
“You bring that and you can bring a mauler as well in the run game. I can bring that asset to a lot of teams.”
If the Jets were to add Jones in either Round 1 or 2, this would be the second straight year the team has drafted an Ohio State player. Last year, the Jets drafted wide receiver Garrett Wilson 10th overall. They also drafted tight end Jeremy Ruckert in the third round.
Jones and Wilson have a close relationship as they have remained close. The two players came into the same recruiting class together as Jones kept an eye on Wilson’s rookie season where he registered 83 catches for 1,103 yards and four touchdowns.
“He had an amazing season as two Buckeyes [Saints receiver Chris Olave] could be rookie of the year,” Jones said.
