Left tackle in the first round is still the safest and smartest pick for the Steelers.
Their options at 17 are very limited with the top 3 left tackles, Paris Johnson, Peter Skoronski, and Broderick Jones, all projected to go early and deservingly so.
If there was one to potentially fall to the Steelers’ 17th overall pick, it could be Georgia Bulldog Broderick Jones.
Is it a pipe dream? Probably. In fact, to acquire any of the top 3 left tackles, the Steelers might have to trade up if they want to secure a left tackle for the future.
Broderick Jones is arguably the best tackle this draft class and has what it takes to be a long-time starter for any team.
Broderick Jones’ official NFL Combine numbers:
- Height – 6’5″
- Weight – 311 lbs
- Arm – 34 3/4″
- Hand – 10 5/8″
- 40 Yard Dash – 4.97 seconds
- 10 Yard Split – 1.74 seconds
- Vertical Jump – 30″
- Broad Jump – 9’0″
Broderick Jones is definitely a favorite for the Steelers based on his measurables and athleticism. He has the gifted traits the Steelers haven’t had at the tackle position for a while.
Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan, and company were present for the Georgia Pro Day, per usual. It’s a yearly stop during the draft season. It landed the Steelers George Pickens last year in the 2nd round.
Let’s have a look at Broderick Jones’ Journey
Broderick Jones was a 5-star recruit coming out of Lithonia High School in his hometown of Lithonia, Georgia. He was a two-sport athlete, also playing high school basketball and helped lead his school to a 21-10 record as a junior.
Broderick Jones committed to the University of Georgia in 2020 to play for the Bulldogs. He only saw action in 2 games and essentially redshirted his freshman year.
In his sophomore year in 2021, he saw an increase in action, playing in every game, the first 11 as a backup and starting the final 4 games at left tackle in relief of Jamaree Salyer.
In relief, he helped lead the Georgia Bulldogs to a college football national championship. Overall, in his sophomore year he allowed one QB hit and 2 sacks.
Due to the drafting of Salyer in the 2022 NFL Draft, Broderick Jones immerged as the starting left tackle for the defending champs and started every game. Playing in over 900 snaps, he allowed ZERO sacks and helped lead the Bulldogs to a repeat championship run.
He probably would’ve done himself favors to return for his senior year, but he declared for the 2023 NFL Draft and is still a projected high-to-mid first round pick.
PROS
- Arm and core strength is elite
- Hand and grip strength makes him a plus pass protector
- Allowed zero sacks in 2022
- High school basketball background gives him athletic traits for the position
- Athletically gifted to recover on bad angles
- Plays through the whistle – never stops trying to finish the play
- Agile hips to reach the second level as a run blocker
- Good awareness for combo blocks – passes the first defender to teammate and engages with second defender
- Can only grow at the position
CONS
- Only one full season as starting left tackle
- Lack of starting experience shows his technique issues
- Play strength as a run blocker needs to be improved
- Inconsistent initial punch and kick off the snap
- Unbalanced due to bending at the waist
Is Broderick Jones the most realistic option at Left Tackle for the Steelers?
The reason I ask this is because out of the top 3 left tackles, Jones might have the best chance to fall to the Steelers. If not, it’d be a trade up worth doing at a lower cost than trading up into the top 10.
Steelers also brought Broderick Jones in for a pre-draft visit, one of their top 30 visits. He’s one of the few offensive tackles they’ve brought in.
That doesn’t mean the Steelers aren’t interested in other tackle prospects. The increase in interest, however, could paint the picture for who the Steelers are targeting.
Broderick Jones might also be the most observed offensive tackle for the Steelers. While looking into George Pickens last year, they definitely did their early research on Broderick Jones.
Steelers aren’t shy of reuniting college teammates and adding championship level players to a young team could quench the thirst in a championship city during the Kenny Pickett era.
Steelers also have shown continued interest in improving the left tackle position. Some point early in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Steelers should invest a draft pick into improving the line.
Broderick Jones is not a finished product at left tackle but has all the upside the Steelers are looking for in a long-term left tackle and would be a home run selection.