Pittsburgh Steelers fans were ready to run through a brick wall after trading up to land offensive tackle, Broderick Jones. The talented Georgia prospect has the desired skill set to be a long-time starter at left tackle, and prior to the 2023 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh had not taken a tackle in the first round since Jamain Stephens in 1996.
Jones is a very intriguing prospect with some untapped potential. He was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and was the 11th overall recruit in the nation (2nd among offensive tackles), per 247Sports. However, there are also some big technical flaws in his game that must be cleaned up in order to take the next step forward in his development.
I watched hours of all-22 film on Jones prior to the NFL Draft and did an even deeper dive once he was drafted by the Steelers. Here's my scouting report on Pittsburgh's first-round pick in 2023:
Strengths:
- Prototype traits for the left tackle position in terms of size and length (6'5 3/8'', 311 lbs, 34 3/4'' arms)
- Unbelievable recovery speed and foot quickness in pass sets
- Flexible stance that allows him to move quickly from the snap
- Outstanding in space, runs like a 'Y' tight end when pulling to the next level
- Uber-athleticism is easy to see on the field with quickness and explosion
- Plays stronger than his thinner frame would suggest
- Chizzled, long frame with room to add more mass
- Elite upside as a pass-protector thanks to his top-notch foot quickness
- Heavy punch that helps him win battles at the line of scrimmage
- Not much wear and tear sitting behind Andrew Thomas and Jamaree Salyer
- Seemed to get better with each passing game in 2022
- Perfect physical demeanor you want from an offensive tackle
Weaknesses:
- Bad habit of lunging at defenders in pass sets
- Sloppy mechanics are often on full display and sometimes downright ugly
- Erratic footwork and inconsistent hand placement
- Can get too high at times and allows rushers into his chest
- Needs to improve at re-anchoring and re-adjusting hand placement
- Too aggressive at times in space and will occasionally whiff on blocks at the second level
- Inconsistent footwork, forced to use athleticism to recover
- Mechanics and technique must improve in order to maximize potential
2022 Statistics:
- 15 starts at left tackle
- 0 sacks allowed in 2022, per PFF
- 84.1 pass-block grade in 2022
Projected role for the Steelers:
It's easy to see the fit for Broderick Jones on the Pittsburgh Steelers, and his role won't surprise anyone. Matt Canada will plug him in as the starting left tackle, and that is where he will stay. The only question becomes whether or not he makes his start from Week 1 or not. Technique issues and all, we expect Jones to beat out Dan Moore Jr. and open the season as the starting left tackle.
NFL player comparison: D'Brickashaw Ferguson
From a size and tools standpoint, Broderick Jones is very similar D'Brickashaw Ferguson coming out of Virginia back in 2006. Ferguson was more refined, which helped him get drafted with the 4th overall pick, but Broderick is an even better athlete. Ferguson went on to have a 10-year NFL career with the New York Jets and earned 3 Pro Bowl appearances.
Bottom line: Broderick Jones is a high-ceiling offensive tackle with a rare build and exceptional physical tools. He does have some bust potential if he doesn't clean up his mechanics, but his foot quickens could help him become one of the better blindside protectors in the NFL.