Jones ‘Yet Another Smart Pick’ for Ravens

Here’s a look at pundits’ grades and reactions to the Jones selection:

Dochterman: “Grade: A. Jones (6-5 ¼, 315) started for three straight seasons at right tackle for LSU and twice earned second-team All-SEC honors. His arm length (34 ¼) and hand size (10 ¾) could keep him outside while his position coaches finalize his eventual landing spot. But it’s likely he’ll get a crack at playing tackle at some point in his career. Per usual, a smart pickup for the Ravens.”

Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame: “Grade: A-. Jones is an interesting prospect at 6′ 5″ and 315 pounds. With the Tigers, he started 36 games, all at right tackle. Still, despite having good arm length at 34¼”, he projects to kick inside and play guard in the NFL due to a lack of foot speed on the edge. With terrific experience at a top-end program, Jones should be a long-term starter.”

Trapasso: “Grade: A-. Has experience at OT and OG who plays with a calculated/patient style and never opens the gate too early, so his outside shoulder is a real challenge to get around. Has to play with more nastiness although there are charging climbs to the second level that stand out on film. Effective in space. One of the many smart OL selections in the middle portion of the draft by the Ravens over the years.”

Iyer: “Grade: B. The Ravens make yet another smart pick to fill a need for a run-blocking right tackle with swing backup potential behind Roger Rosengarten and Ronnie Stanley.”

Middlehurst-Schwartz: “Grade: B. A sturdy blocker at 6-5 and 315 pounds, Jones can obscure some of his shortcomings by moving inside to guard. His discipline can falter, but he can be a force in the run game.”

Brinkerhoff: “Grade: B. Jones primarily played tackle in college opposite Will Campbell but likely will end up as a guard in the NFL. He has good size and solid athleticism but may not have the technique and skills to hang at tackle. If not, he’ll provide good depth and potential starter down the line on the interior.”

Valentino: “Grade: B-. Moving inside to guard will fix most of Emery Jones’ problems, and the Ravens have a need for immediate help there. Experienced in the SEC, Jones profiles as someone who can grow into a role and take gigantic leaps throughout his rookie season. He has the tools to be a starter by Year 2.”

SB Nation’s Joseph Acosta: “Grade: B-. Jones was outside my top 100, but among the guards left on the board he’s the best guy for the Ravens’ scheme. He’s a competitor with power in his frame, but needs to work on his feet in order to stick at tackle. The Ravens need competition at guard, and Jones can become a starter there.”

Sobleski: “Grade: C. The Baltimore Ravens love big, physical and burly offensive tackles. They don’t necessarily worry about polish or exactly where they’ll play. They want to dominate at the point of attack. LSU’s Emery Jones Jr. fits their profile to a T. Much like former LSU teammate Will Campbell, Jones stepped into the Tigers’ starting lineup as a true freshman and never relinquished the job. Also like Campbell, many projected the right tackle as a conversion project to guard.”

Pro Football Focus: “Grade: Below Average. The Ravens address depth concerns on their interior offensive line with Jones. While he is still a raw player and didn’t generate overly impressive PFF grades at LSU, it may be due in large part to playing out of position at tackle. His long arms and good anchor in pass protection led to a 67.4 PFF pass-blocking grade, showing his potential.”

Edholm: “Jones is a player I’ve always pulled for because he has all the tools to be special, but the tape is just inconsistent. Interesting that the Ravens listed him as a tackle; some teams projected Jones inside, but his length and athleticism could work outside.’

Hensley: “The Ravens addressed their top need on offense by taking Jones. He’s a three-year starter known for his run blocking, but he has been effective in pass protection. Jones could get a chance to compete with Andrew Vorhees for the left guard spot, which is the only starting job up for grabs on the NFL’s No. 1 offense.”