A return of our Summer Scouting Series here at Steelers Depot highlighting as we highlight several 2023 NFL Draft hopefuls that are generating buzz prior to the start of the 2022 CFB season at positions that the Pittsburgh Steelers may have interest in several months from now once the pre-draft process gets underway.
#59 Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia (R-Sophomore) – 6’4, 315lb
The Good
— Good athlete at the OT position, having a loose lower half and ability to move well in space
— Possesses functional strength as a run blocker, having the shock in his punch and leg drive to displace defenders off their spot
— Can pull from the tackle spot to clear a runway for the back of his backside
— Plays with good leverage and pad level in short yardage situations
— Strong down blocker as well as on kick out blocks to create a running lane
— Aggressive mentality when out in space in the screen game and asked to climb to the second level
— Has the arm length and footwork to make EDGE rushers run the arc against him, keeping them at bey when he lands his punch
— Will get hands inside opponent’s chest to neutralize the rush
— Stepped up in the biggest moments for a National Title team when OL Jamaree Sayler dealt with injury or got kicked inside to guard
— Only a Redshirt Sophomore that is relatively inexperienced, showing growth in every game he played
The Bad
— High-cut tackle prospect with thin lower half
— Will need to add more functional mass to lower half to anchor against power rushers at the next level
— Can have balance issues at times, causing him to play too far forward over his pads
— Will overset in pass protection, leading to defenders countering back inside across his face
— Needs would on his kick step in pass protection to cover more ground to establish the depth of the pocket
— Raw in terms of technique and experience, having only four starts under his belt
— Redshirt Sophomore prospect from Lithonia, GA
— Consensus five-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals, #1 OT Prospect by ESPN
— 2020 Under Armour All-America Game invite
— Unanimous selection to the 2019 Class 5A All-State First Team Offense
— Skilled post player on the Lithonia varsity basketball team
— Appeared in two games during his freshman season in 2020, taking snaps at South Carolina and at Missouri at RT, eventually redshirted
— Played in every game as a redshirt freshman in 2021 starting the last four games of the regular season at LT
— Saw extensive time at LT in the Bulldogs CFP National Championship Game win against Alabama
— Coaches’ Freshman All-SEC Team (2021)
— Sport Management major
Broderick Jones was a former five-star recruit in the 2020 cycle, deciding to stay in-state and play for the Dawgs under HC Kirby Smart.