Meet Georgia 'Beast' Broderick Jones, Falcons Draft Prospect

Georgia's Broderick Jones is one of the best offensive tackles in the 2023 NFL Draft - just ask his peers ... but could he stay in-state with the Atlanta Falcons?

Mississippi State outside linebacker Tyrus Wheat saw it all during his three-year stint in the SEC.

Playing in a conference littered with NFL talent, the matchups never stopped coming - with Wheat singling out former teammate Charles Cross and Alabama star Evan Neal as his most challenging matchups.

Cross and Neal were top-10 picks one year ago, the former going to the Seattle Seahawks at No. 9 overall and the latter to the New York Giants at No. 7.

But there was another player he added to the illustrious list.

"The Georgia offensive tackle," Wheat told SI's Falcon Report. "He was nice."

That, of course, is Broderick Jones - who was a consensus five-star recruit and quickly ascended from redshirt to freshman all-SEC before earning first-team all-conference this past season.

Jones, who stands 6-5, 311 pounds with over 34-inch arms and an 82-inch wingspan, is considered to be one of the top offensive tackles in the 2023 NFL Draft, alongside Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr., Northwestern's Peter Skoronski and Tennessee's Darnell Wright.

The question isn't whether Jones goes high - it's how high and to whom?

How about No. 8 overall to the Atlanta Falcons?

Per NFL Network, the Falcons have done due diligence on the top of the offensive line class, most notably Johnson Jr. and Skoronski, a pair of players with guard versatility.

But Jones, who hails from Lithonia, Ga., formally met with the Falcons at the NFL Combine and comes with the athleticism needed to win in close quarters should he kick inside to guard.

Atlanta's offensive tackle situation is largely set, with veteran Jake Matthews and recently extended Kaleb McGary under contract for the next three years.

However, NFL Network noted the Falcons could explore the idea of adding a short-term solution at guard who can eventually slide outside to tackle once either Matthews or McGary departs.

Enter Jones.

Across 470 pass blocking snaps this past season, Jones allowed only seven pressures and two quarterback hits ... with no sacks, per Pro Football Focus.

In the run game, nearly half of Jones' reps came in space as a zone blocker, speaking to his ability in Atlanta's wide-zone scheme.

The numbers and accolades Jones has accumulated are impressive - but so is how opponents describe him.

Take Oregon's D.J. Johnson, an All-Pac 12 performer who finished tied for fifth in the conference with six sacks and is set to be drafted later this month.

Against the Jones-led Bulldogs offensive line, Johnson had his quietest performance of the season, registering one tackle and a quarterback hurry ... and left with a notable takeaway.

"Broderick Jones (is) a beast," Johnson said.

Why?

"He has really strong hands," said Johnson. "He's quick with his feet for his size. He can set back faster than some guys smaller than his size."

Jones checks several boxes - he's big and strong, but not at the expense of athleticism. He's proven in a big conference, but young, as he won't turn 22 until after the draft.

The next box? Finding a long-term home ... and it could just be a few miles down the road from his earliest beginnings.

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You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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