BRODERICK JONES – Tackle, Georgia
• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 310
• Class: Redshirt Sophomore
• Hometown: Lithonia, Georgia
• High School: Lithonia
Steelers Rationale: The Steelers went in search of a stalwart left tackle to protect franchise
quarterback Kenny Pickett’s blindside in the 2023 draft and may have just found one. Jones,
one of the four pedigreed 1 st round talents at the position slipped down the board just far
enough for the Steelers to swap picks with the Patriots, forfeiting a 4 th round to do so. They
leapfrogged the Jets and stole Broderick Jones, allowing Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick to
rub some salt in the fresh would of a division rival.
Jones should be an immediate starter on the left wing of the line, replacing Dan Moore, Jr., who
struggled last season at times and may be better suited as a backup for the team. Jones’s
combination of power and balance will no doubt improve a Steelers rushing attack, as he’s
made a living for opening holes for the Georgia Bulldog running backs for the last two and a half
seasons, on their way to capturing back-to-back NCAA championships.
Jones equally excels at pass blocking where his size, punch, wingspan and speed make him
difficult to beat. Jones posted a sub 5.0 40-yard dash at the combine and a 1.74 10-yard split,
showing off his ability to climb the ladder and get to the 2 nd level blocks necessary to improve
this offense. Listening to the pro scouts at this year’s combine, we heard descriptors such as
“athletic, technically sound and will develop into a plus starter in the league.” For a man over
310 lbs., Jones is nimble on his feet (the skill scouts look for in a prospect to gauge their ability
to mirror an opponent’s pass rush) and he has room to get even better with pro coaching.
His strength gives him advantages—allowing him to move an opponent in power runs while his
speed allows him to stage for zone runs. Jones possesses superior body control allowing him to
move and reposition defenders in run blocking while his powerful punch and arm length allows
him to time his punches, stalling crashing rushers.
If there is a weakness in his game, it’s experience. Jones played three seasons in Georgia but
lost a year to COVID. He will get better with time.
Watching his film, he often ducks his head, which gives a speedy rusher an advantage if he loses
sight of their angles or techniques. He also tends to give up ground too early to power rushers,
which won’t work in the pros. These deficiencies will go away with the right attention in the
film room and in practice.
To say the Steelers struck gold here is accurate. Jones will have a long career if he stays healthy,
with crosshairs on a few pro bowls along the way.
Player History:
2022: Started at LT in all 15 games for the Georgia Bulldogs. Honored as Associated Press All-
SEC First Team selection.
2021: Coaches Freshman All-SEC Team...played in every game, starting the last four games of
the regular season at left OT...played every offensive snap in win over Missouri and
Tennessee...played most of the Bulldogs’ win at Auburn at left tackle, in relief of injured starter
Jamaree Salyer.
2020: Saw his first collegiate action at right tackle in fourth-quarter drive at South
Carolina...also played as a reserve in win at Missouri.
Image: collegepressbox.com