Houston’s Josh Jones Could Solidify The Green Bay Packers’ Offensive Line

Note: The NFL Draft begins April 23 and the Green Bay Packers have the 30th pick in the first round. Between now and then, I’ll examine 30 players the Packers could select with that pick.

Today, we look at Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones.

The following players have also been spotlighted.

• LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson

• TCU defensive lineman Ross Blacklock

• USC offensive tackle Austin Jackson

• Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray

• Utah State quarterback Jordan Love

• Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins

• Oklahoma defensive lineman Neville Gallimore

• Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor

• Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell

• Colorado wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr.

• LSU linebacker Patrick Queen

JOSH JONES, OT, HOUSTON

THE SKINNY

Jones redshirted his first year with the Cougars, then started 45 games at left tackle over the next four seasons. Jones was rock solid his first three years, then took his game to a new level in 2019 when he allowed just four pressures all season.

Jones didn’t face elite competition in the American Athletic Conference, leaving many teams with questions how he’d transition to the NFL. Then Jones went to Senior Bowl in January and was one of the most dominant players there.

Jones controlled defensive linemen in one-on-one drills, displayed high-end athleticism and terrific power. In a few short days, Jones jumped up draft boards and now has a chance to be a late first round draft pick.

MEASURABLES

Height: 6-5

Weight: 319

Bench press: 24 reps of 225 pounds

40-yard dash: 5.27 seconds

Vertical jump: 28.5”

Broad jump: 109.0”

Arms: 33 7/8”

Hands: 10 1/8”

SCOUTING REPORT

Jones is long and athletic with the frame to still add weight. Jones excels at reach blocks, has terrific mobility in space and is a natural fit in zone schemes.

Jones has had impressive moments in pass protection, using his length and reach to keep rushers at bay. He also displayed a nastiness as a senior that wasn’t always evident in past seasons.

Jones must improve his technique, though. He’s still raw in both his pass sets and with his footwork. But many scouts believe with the proper coaching, Jones could play either tackle spot and become a high-level starter relatively early in his career.

PACKERS’ PREDICAMENT

Green Bay, which had one of the top offensive lines in football in 2019, needs help.

The Packers let elite right tackle Bryan Bulaga leave in free agency, and signed former Lion Rick Wagner to replace him. That’s risky business, considering Pro Football Focus ranked Wagner just 62nd overall among offensive tackles last season and Detroit released him on March 13.

In addition, left tackle David Bakhtiari and center Corey Linsley will become free agents in March, 2021, and the Packers will be hard-pressed to pay both.

General manager Brian Gutekunst would be wise to find someone to compete with Wagner in 2020, and add additional depth in case future losses occur.

THEY SAID IT

Jones, on taking a step up in 2019: ““Man, you know, I just wanted to bury guys every single time I got out there. My O-line coach Brandon Jones pushed me to do that, to be violent out there. I actually feel like that’s one thing I wasn’t showing on tape so far. Just finishing guys. So that’s what I wanted to do.”

Mel Kiper, ESPN draft analyst, on Jones:Jones is rising after dominating at Senior Bowl practices. He has the potential to be an All-Pro left tackle.”

Jones, on his athleticism: It helps a lot. This whole NFL game is going to movements and outside zones, and reaches and pulls and a lot of that. That’s what I can do. I’m athletic. So, I think it’s prepared me well for the next level.”

NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein on Jones: “He needs to add more strength to his frame, but he’s got long arms. He’s a good athlete, and he has really shown a great deal of improvement with his technique in pass protection as the season progressed.”



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