The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones:
What he can do
– Looks the part. He’s 6-5 and right around 320 pounds, with almost 34″ arms. Ideal size and length
– Moves well. Gets out of his stance and retreats into pass sets easily. Looks good moving laterally, getting to the second level and in the screen game. Nothing looks labored. Athletic
– Experienced on the move. Houston’s offense sent him all over the place
– Dominant pass-blocker. Gave up only 18 total pressures over the last three years, including just four in 2019, per Pro Football Focus
– Eliminated pass-rushers without perfect technique. More development could turn him into an elite blocker at the next level
– Didn’t get a ton of work in traditional NFL pass-blocking sets but looked great the few chances he got
– Can really move his feet and bend to mirror rushes
– Plays with a nastiness that coaches will love. Will rip edge rushers to the ground and bury them. Always looking for work
– Got to the second level and walled off Kenneth Murray several times vs. Oklahoma
– Can be early off the snap, causing false starts
– Continuously improved as a run blocker. Can hold the point of attack but at his best when on the move in the zone run game
– Played mostly lesser competition, but he dominated that competition and consistently rose to the challenge against Houston’s best opponents
How he fits
Regardless of whether or not the Packers re-sign veteran right tackle Bryan Bulaga, there’s a need at offensive tackle. Bulaga will be 31 and has a worrisome injury history, and there really isn’t an attractive internal option to replace him, either in the short term or long term. The Packers must also guard themselves against the potential of losing David Bakhtiari, who has an expiring contract after the 2020 season. Jones could help in both areas, providing a potential Day 1 starter at right tackle and insurance for the Packers at left tackle.
NFL comp
His tape sure looks a lot like Laremy Tunsil’s coming out of Ole Miss in 2016. They’re both long tackles with dominant pass-blocking qualities. Jones’ athletic profile is almost a perfect match for Eugene Monroe, a first-round pick in 2009.
Where Packers could get him
In the first round or not at all, most likely. In fact, there’s a good chance he’ll be long gone by the Packers come on the clock late in the first round. It’s a great class of offensive tackles, but plenty of teams need tackles, and teams don’t often let good pass-blocking tackles fall far into the first round. Jones would have to be considered heavily by GM Brian Gutekunst if he fell to No. 30.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither