Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU
Size:
Height: 6052
Weight: 315
Arm: 34 ¼”
Hand: 10 ¾”
Accomplishments:
Second Team All-SEC (2023) • Freshman All-American (2022)
“Emery Jones combines the football character, athleticism, and ability to be a fantastic professional football player for years to come.”
Strengths:
Patient but deliberate player who dictates the speed of the game
Strong, firm hands
Comes off the ball looking to finish
Concerns:
Struggles to redirect fluidly
Opens up his catch foot on contact in protection
Plays out of control at times
Film Analysis:
Emery Jones Jr. has been a mainstay starter for the LSU Tigers offensive line since walking into the building. Being a Freshman All-American quickly got the 4-star prospect on NFL radars, and since then, Jones has been healthy and reliable for the Tigers as he’s built his impressive portfolio of 36 starts in three seasons. Jones comes into this draft after being considered one of the best true junior prospects in this class during our summer evaluations. In his 2024 season, he struggled to maintain his form but still projects as a starting guard in the NFL.
The story for Jones starts with his natural abilities. He’s a lengthy, well-put-together lineman with a strong grip and overwhelming motor. He’s able to mirror rushers in protection, play in close quarters, and manufacture power off the snap. I liked Jones’ strike and intention with defenders, he tried to attack with his hands consistently. There are times when Jones gets off balance and out of control. He needs to play with more poise and confidence. One issue that presents itself in protection is opening his catch foot on contact too much. This causes him to lose leverage with the pocket and gives defenders an easy path to redirect inside when he tries to run them by.
In the run game, Jones has a great understanding of landmarks and pad level. He’s an absolute bruiser on tight shades where he can get his face mask into opponents right off the snap. He stays square throughout the drive phase, never looking out of control, and brings his hips to finish opponents. He has great structural integrity as a run blocker to complement his power. The best and most fun part about his game is the way he attacks people constantly, always looking for work while the play is happening. He’s mean, gritty, and always tries to inflict pain on opponents.
I need to see Jones maintain a strong base in his blocks. Too often he’s shedded off because he’s overcompensating on heavy two-gapping lineman or makes contact without both of his feet under him, making him vulnerable.
Jones is not yet the perfect prospect. But when looking at interior prospects from recent drafts, he’s got all the tools to be a successful NFL guard. Despite his step back in 2024, who he is as a football player has not changed, and teams should happily take him anywhere on day two.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Winning Starter
Exposures: South Carolina (2024), Ole Miss (2024), Arkansas (2024), Texas A&M (2024), Missouri (2023), Florida (2023), Alabama (2023), Florida State (2023)
