Report: Colts Are Meeting Remotely with Houston OT Josh Jones

According to The Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson, the Indianapolis Colts are among the NFL teams that are reportedly meeting remotely with University of Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones:

Due to the ongoing coronavrius pandemic, NFL teams are currently prohibited from meeting with prospects in-person but can still communicate through video or telephone calls.

The 6’5”, 319 pound senior offensive tackle is widely considered a first round pick in this year’s NFL Draft, after starting 45 career games at left tackle for the Cougars—earning American Athletic All-Conference 2nd-Team honors in 2019.

He only allowed one sack during his senior campaign.

Jones had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl, as he may have arguably been the best offensive tackle in attendance—winning a North Squad Practice Player of the Week award:

Jones posted a 5.27 forty time, 24 bench press reps, 28.5 inch vertical, and 109.0 inch broad jump at the NFL Combine.

That gives him a SPARQ rating (measuring overall athleticism) in the 44.7% NFL percentile (which was the 18th best among all offensive lineman in his draft class).

On the field, Jones looks like a long, athletic tackle prospect with good lateral movement in pass protection, the quickness to get to the second level of defenses in run blocking, and the nastiness to finish off would-be tacklers into the ground.

He projects best in a zone-blocking scheme, as move-oriented run blocker—with his length, athleticism, and ability to play in space.

That being said, Jones is still a bit raw. He needs to improve his overall hand placement and footwork technique—but it’s all coachable at the next level.

Here’s some more ‘quick hits’ on Jones:

Now, the Colts could obviously use a long-term answer at starting left tackle, as veteran bookend Anthony Castonzo seriously contemplated retirement earlier this offseason before re-signing with Indianapolis on a new two-year deal.

The Colts still have a little time to find their future starting left tackle, but general manager Chris Ballard doesn’t want to wait too long and be caught without a backup plan entirely.

The team still has to find its next franchise quarterback too, so finding both a future starting quarterback and a left tackle in one offseason could be problematic. The Colts may be wise to fill at least one of those long-term holes this offseason—saving the other for 2021.

Jones is the type of lengthy, athletic tackle prospect that could grow into a Pro Bowl caliber starting left tackle for the Colts. He excels in pass protection, and his ability to get to the second tier of defenses in run blocking would continue to allow the Colts offensive line to be incredibly dynamic with its pulls, wham blocks, and overall screen game.

He also has shown the nastiness of finishing off blocks into the ground that would fit right in with ringleader All-Pro offensive guard Quenton Nelson’s 5-man ‘play through the whistle’ squad.

Still a bit raw in his overall technique, Jones could benefit from a year or two of seasoning behind Castonzo—learning from one of the game’s best before fully taking over.

That being said, Jones looks like a safe bet to be a first round pick right now, and the Colts—only picking as early as #34 overall, may have to trade up to actually snag him.