2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Ohio State OT Dawand Jones

From now until the 2023 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, we’ll be profiling Ohio State OT Dawand Jones.

#79 DAWAND JONES/OT OHIO STATE – 6’8, 359 (SENIOR)

Senior Bowl Participant

MEASURABLES

THE GOOD

— Quick first step out of his stance, good timing off the snap
— Good natural knee bend for a person of his size
— Gets good depth in his vertical sets
— Uses his length well to land punches and win the half man relationship
— Almost always gets the first significant contact against a pass rusher
— Great hand fighter, able to punch and reset his hands several times throughout a play
— Good latch strength which helps steer defenders and generate power
— Can put a defender on skates with great contact strength and leg drive
— Good competitive toughness, finishing plays to the whistle and looking for work at the end of plays

— Wastes movement out of his stance with gather steps or other unnecessary first steps
— Will need to lose some weight to help with change of direction and momentum issues
— His center of gravity gets too far out in front of him leading to lunging and whiffed blocks
— Athletic rushers can finesse him with juke steps or ghost rushes
— Marginal recovery when he whiffs a punch or a block
— Cannot move fast enough to consistently get to the second level when asked

— True senior prospect from Indianapolis, Indiana
— 21 years old, will be 22 in August
— Two year starter at right tackle for Ohio State
— Was a part of the number one scoring offense in college football in 2021
— Played his 2021 season with Paris Johnson Jr.