Scarlet Sunrise: Dawand Jones signs rookie contract with Cleveland Browns
Good morning, Ohio State fans, and welcome to the Scarlet Sunrise. Football will always be our focus, but every day we’ll cover news, notes and analysis from across Buckeyes sports. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything you missed in the world of Buckeyes football, recruiting, basketball and more in Scarlet Sunrise.
Dawand Jones signs rookie contract with Cleveland Browns
Former Ohio State right tackle Dawand Jones became the seventh and final Cleveland Browns draftee in this year’s class to sign his rookie contract Monday. Jones was taken No. 111 overall in the fourth round of April’s draft.
His four-year deal has a total value of $4,632,336, according to Over The Cap, which also lists his 2023 base salary at $750,000.
Jones was projected as a Day Two prospect but fell to the fourth round. Albert Breer, a senior NFL reporter/lead content strategist at Sports Illustrated’s MMQB, reported that Jones’ pre-draft process “went as sideways as possible.” The way the 6-foot-8, 374 pound lineman handled the Senior Bowl and his pro day, as well as concerns about his weight, affected his draft stock, according to Breer, who also reported that Jones told teams his dream was to play in the NBA instead of the NFL.
Jones refuted those reports over Twitter.
The Browns ended up taking a chance on not only Jones in the fourth round but also former Ohio State center Luke Wypler in the sixth round. Like Jones, Wypler, who declared for the draft after just three years with the Buckeyes, also went later than he was projected.
Both are expected to add depth to the Browns’ offensive line this season. Jones is afforded the opportunity to learn behind starting tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin and will compete with backups James Hudson III, Joe Haeg and Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Jones started two seasons at right tackle for Ohio State. His Pro Football Focus run blocking grade of 85.0 in 2022 was sixth among all offensive tackles nationally with 300 or more run blocking snaps. And his five allowed pressures last year were the fewest given up by a tackle with 300-plus pass blocking snaps, per PFF.
Five Questions as Buckeyes gear up for new era at quarterback
From now until the start of Big Ten Media Days, Lettermen Row will be diving into our “Position Week” series, previewing an Ohio State position group from all angles each week.
We’re kicking things off with the most important position on the team: quarterback.
Every day this week, we’ll have content about Buckeyes signal callers. There are four on scholarship this season, including junior Kyle McCord and redshirt freshman Devin Brown — a pair of former top-five quarterback prospects in the 2021 and 2022 recruiting classes, respectively — who are in a two-way race for QB1. Who will win the starting job is the million dollar question surrounding the position. But we have five other questions about Ohio State’s current quarterback room.
Check them out here.
RELATED
Versatility is a strength for Ohio State running back commit Sam Williams-Dixon
After not signing a single scholarship running back last cycle, Ohio State has three running back commits in the 2024 class: James Peoples, Jordan Lyle and Sam Williams-Dixon.
Williams-Dixon was the second of three backs to pledge. The three-star Pickerington (Ohio) North prospect announced his commitment to Ohio State hours after the Buckeyes’ spring game on April 15.
Williams-Dixon brings his own spin to the position and has showcased great versatility in and out of the backfield during his recruitment.
Lettermen Row captures what the 5-foot-11, 185-pound back can do here.
Counting down
Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 102 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 186 days
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