Broderick Jones an 'offensive line coach's dream' per draft expert
Former Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones is one of the best available in the 2023 NFL Draft. Not only is he talented already – a five-star prospect coming out of high school with all the tools as the nation’s No. 1 offensive tackle – but he’s also still somewhat raw. Jones started 15 games for Georgia this past season, his only one as a full starter. Prior to that, he had just four starts under his belt. So, if you’re an NFL team, that both presents challenges and an opportunity in using a pick on him.
“If you want the most athletic guy, it’s Broderick Jones from Georgia. He’s about 6-foot-5, 311, ran a 4.98 at the Combine, he’s got really long arms,” ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. said on a teleconference with members of the media after the release of his Mock Draft 3.0 last week. “He needs coaching. He’s kind of an offensive line coach’s dream. How far would he drop? I have him going to the Jets at No. 13. Some think he could drop a little further than that. We’ll see on that one.”
Talks have gone into the Jets possibly trading the No. 13 pick that they currently hold as a part of a package that would end up with Aaron Rodgers quarterbacking in the Big Apple. On the surface level, it’s a no brainer, but as Kiper points out, giving up the first rounder would mean one less weapon around Rodgers on offense – either for him to distribute the ball to or to protect him while doing so.
“Broderick Jones is one of the reasons I wouldn’t want to give up the pick,” Kiper said. “Broderick Jones is an outstanding developmental tackle. He’s a tremendously talented kid, 6-foot-5 and change, 311 pounds, ran 4.98, he’s got really long arms. I think an offensive line coach is going to say, ‘Hey, I can fix things from a technical approach for the job at hand for an offensive tackle. I can make him a Pro Bowl tackle.'”
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Jones has met with the Jets during the pre-draft process. Among the others he has spent time with, the Pittsburgh Steelers who Kiper also considers to be an option for him at No. 17 should he still be available.
Jones started all 15 games for Georgia in 2022, making the transition from Jamaree Salyer to Jones at left tackle an issue put on the back burner for the Bulldogs. Jones also started four games in 2021 in place of an injured Salyer and played significant portions of both the Auburn game on the road and the National Championship at left tackle.
