Cardinals improve OL with Josh Jones in 3rd round

The Arizona Cardinals selected offensive tackle Josh Jones out of Houston in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, No. 72 overall.

Steve Keim and Kliff Kingsbury were rumored to be targeting an offensive lineman early in the draft but opted for Isaiah Simmons in the first round. However, the team filled a major need with a solid value pick in Jones.

Jones should compete with Marcus Gilbert to start at right tackle or be the top perimeter backup as a rookie.

Prospect Profile

School: Houston
Height: 6-5
Weight: 319 lbs

Positives

• Intriguing blend of size and athleticism
• Flashes raw functional strength
• Fluid movement into pass set
• Good lateral agility to mirror rushers
• Strength in anchor to recover and reset
• Foot speed, lateral movement for zone concepts
• Efficient climbing to second level and in space

Negatives

• Extremely raw with overall technique
• Slow to process stunts and blitzes
• False steps and wasted movements into pass sets
• Must improve angles in pass protection
• Sloppy hand placement allows opponent inside frame

Bottom line

An impressive athlete in a prototypical frame, Jones is everything offensive line coaches are looking for from a physical standpoint. With the right development, he could be an impact player. It could take plenty of work, though, as he'll need to improve his overall technique and his processing ability to better diagnose what the defense is throwing at him. Overall, Jones is a high-upside prospect, his potential payoff likely making him worthy of an early-round selection.