Bulldogs’ Broderick Jones: Not An NFL Franchise Left Tackle

There has been a lot of hype centering around the physical and aggressive Broderick Jones.

The name of this Georgia left tackle (LT) has been buzzing around in the NFL mock draft community.

CBS, FanSided, Pro Football Network, 247Sports, Draftwire, NBC Sports Chicago, SBNation, The 33rd Team and Pro Football Focus have all put first-round grades on Jones.

However, his 2021 game film suggests that high of a grade on Jones is premature.

Just because he plays at Georgia doesn’t automatically translate to success in the NFL.

While Jones has a lot going for him, there are a couple of things that will hold him back at the next level.

Jones looks like a guard and he plays like a guard

The position of LT is the premium position on the offensive line in the NFL. That is because the LT protects the blind side of right-handed quarterbacks. That is the side many of the best pass rushers come off of, and that is where teams tend to have their most athletic offensive lineman with the best footwork.

This is the issue.

🚩Jones lacks elite athleticism and foot speed🚩

He’s an extremely physical street-fighter who attempts to pass block like he run blocks. He has this boxy frame and raw technique when it comes to both his footwork and his hand placement.

Jones either overcompensates by getting too wide and overextending himself toward the backdoor of the pocket (leaving himself vulnerable back inside), or he consistently leans into defenders, trying to out-muscle them and he gets turned and loses leverage as a result.

Either way, it’s not good.

Jones got beat a few times by giving up pressures and/or sacks in these types of situations.

Jones’ best assets are his long arms, strength, size and effort level

His game is all about using his awesome brute physical upper body power, long arms and the size of his frame to lock up and control in the shallow depth of the pocket.

I love the effort Jones puts forth. He plays to the whistle on every play, which is a plus. In fact, he is able to use his high effort level to compensate for the aforementioned negatives.

Trouble sustaining run blocking

The game film doesn’t lie, and Jones’ game film is saying he has a tendency not to be able to control and sustain his run blocks long enough.

This circles back to the athletic concerns – – and technique concerns that show up pass blocking.

There were a good number of run plays where he didn’t sustain the block long enough, and his guy got in on the stop.

It takes more than having traits

The traits have to translate on game film.

I know what wins from studying all these elite NFL players writing for SI Jets. Jones is struggling on the perimeter of the pocket against Georgia Tech, Tennessee and Missouri.

How is going to look going up against the Eagles, Giants and Cowboys?

#59 Broderick Jones 6-foot-4, 310 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: Fourth-Round (LT) – Early Fall 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 34.7% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of October 19, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 game film reviewed: Georgia Tech, Tennessee and Missouri (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation)

Level of Competition: Moderate

2021 stats: Started 4 games. 67.5 overall grade (pff.com). Gave up 5 hurries, 1 QB hit, 2 sacks (nfldraftbuzz.com)

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Blocker with powerful upper body, decent athletic ability and foot speed. Maintains nice wide base and combines raw strength and outside hand placement to shield the shallow depth of the pocket. Loves to lock up and be done with it in the shallow depth. Tendency to lean into defenders and lower his head to open back door if pass rushers persist on the perimeter, but compensates with effort most of the time. Relies too heavily on strength and not nearly enough on technique. Can overextend himself in anticipation and give up front door access to the pocket. Aggressive mauler as a run blocker who is inconsistent sustaining. Good at turning inside/out and sealing off lanes. Hit and miss pulling and at the second level. Raw prospect.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. Pass protection technique.
2. How many sacks/pressures surrendered?
3. How does he look vs. speed pass rushers?
4. Sustaining run blocks?

I think Jones projects best at guard.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.