2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah

• Name: Braxton Jones
• Height: 6054
• Weight: 307 lbs.
• Position: OT
• Draft Class: 2022
• College: Southern Utah (2017 – 2021)
• Hometown: Murray, UT
• High School: Murray High School
• Games Watched: 2021 at San Jose State, 2021 at Northern Arizona, 2021 at Montana

Background: A three-time All-American and a three-time All-Big Sky selection as an offensive tackle under Head Coach Demario Warren. He was an invitee & participant in the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Positives: Height, Weight, Arm Length, Versatility, First Step, Football Intelligence, Mirror Ability in Pass Protection, All-Around Effort.

Negatives: Stiff Hips, Knee Bend, Ankle Flexibility, Pad Level, Kickslide Speed, Feet in Pass Protection, Hand Placement, Upper Body Strength, Hand Violence in Pass Protection, Anchor Consistency, Physicality

Projection: An OL that can be developed into a backup LT or emergency RT, or can be moved inside as an OG in a zone blocking offensive scheme.

Grade: 7^th Round Draft Pick

Summary: Jones has good height & weight, all packed into a lean body frame with great arm length. He showed that he has some versatility as he took snaps at both LT & RT, but primarily played at LT. He shows a good first step at the snap. Moves pretty well for an athlete of his size & stature. In the run game, he shows good body positioning when making down blocks & seal blocks. Tends to operate & play like a technician than a road grader. Shows some ability to get to the second level & out into space on HB screens. Demonstrates okay awareness & football intelligence as the play develops. He mirrors pass rushers adequately off of the edge in pass protection. Utilizes his arm length to keep pass rushers at bay. Will stick with his defender until the whistle blows. Tends to play with stiff hips & very little knee bend. His pad level was inconsistent at times while run blocking & in pass protection. He does not show consistent hand strength & upper body strength at the POA in the run game. He does not show the ability to be able to drive defenders off. His hand placement, when engaged as a whole, is questionable. Does not show good kick slide speed in pass protection with very little ankle flexibility. Is not violent with his hands, and will tend to catch pass rushers rather than utilize his arm length. His feet will stop at times when engaged with a pass rusher, causing him to be driven back when anchoring. Is a liability against pass rushers who can dip, who have a good rip move, and who can transition from speed to power. Does not play with much nastiness. Jones would best fit as an OL in a zone-blocking scheme where he can be developed into a backup LT, an emergency RT, or where he can be moved inside as an OG. He will need to work on his foot speed, hip flexibility, knee bend, pad level, and upper body strength. 

• Play Speed: C+ (5)
• Awareness: B- (6)
• Play Strength: C+ (5)
• Hand Placement: C+ (5)
• Hand Strength: C+ (5)
• Footwork: B- (6)
• Run Blocking: B (6)
• Pass Blocking: B- (6)