Have No Fear, Dawand Jones Is Here
Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
A slight damper came over Sunday’s giant win against the Cincinnati Bengals with news that RT Jack Conklin would miss the entire year with an ACL tear. But. while Conklin was a crucial member of the line, the Dawg Pound has absolutely no reason to panic. Cleveland have a behemoth in waiting.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said that rookie Dawand Jones will be taking over the role of starting right tackle after Conklin’s unfortunate injury. The Ohio State product came in relief for the injured Conklin early in the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals and performed just as impressively as he did in the preseason.
In exhibition games, Jones did everything that was asked of him, and then some. He played in 223 snaps, more than any other tackle in the NFL. In 148 pass-blocking snaps, he only allowed three pressures.
Whoever came up with “Big Thanos” as Dawand Jones’ nickname was spot on pic.twitter.com/GMau5PzXF1
— Fantasy Football Today (@FFToday) August 4, 2023
In Week 1, he picked up right where he left off, allowing zero sacks, pressures, or hurries in 20 pass-blocking snaps.
Jones’ consistent playing time, combined with his excellent play during the preseason, allowed him to be immediately ready to step in for Conklin when he went down. His excellent pass-protection skills will be invaluable as Deshaun Watson works to regain his ability as a top-tier NFL passer.
Stefanski commented that Jones has been working with offensive line coach Bill Callahan. He understands that, while he believes in Jones, there will be a learning curve.
“It’s really, honestly, any young player, when you get thrown into the mix early, there’s going to be some time to catch up. I thought he had some good moments and some things we’ll work real hard to clean up.”
Jones was lauded for his size coming out of college, as he was every bit of 6’8” and 375 lbs. When he shops at the Big and Tall store, he has to shop in the Bigger and Taller section. His imposing presence and large frame were immediately noticeable.
Confirmed:Dawand Jones is big asf in person🤣 pic.twitter.com/uneSOkN5ki
— BrownsOr🖕🏽(0-0) (@DawgInYouu) September 10, 2023
While many expected him to be a high draft pick, he slipped to the fourth round.
Update: #Browns 6'8, 359 pound OT Dawand Jones was mocked by many as a 1st round pick in the 2023 Draft, but he fall to the 4th round, now we learn why.
Jones told teams during interviews his that dream is to play in the NBA, not NFL, which turned them off to him.
He also… pic.twitter.com/v5oFJns53W
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 3, 2023
His weight and dreams of an NBA career may have turned some teams off. However, Stefanski commented in July that he was happy with the progress that Jones has made cutting weight. In addition, his history as a basketball player (in addition to his tape) show that he is a much quicker athlete than nearly everyone his size.
One downside to Jones’ game on Sunday is that he struggled as a run blocker (38.4 PFF score). That said, he not only has one of the better offensive lines in the game that can help him improve, but he also has one of the best pure running backs in the game in Nick Chubb.
With his newfound role in the starting lineup, the big rookie will need to come into his own as quickly as possible, as on the other side of the line, Jedrick Wills has struggled mightily. He allowed four pressures in 74 offensive snaps, gave up a sack to Trey Hendrickson, and even may have incidentally caused Conklin’s season-ending injury by blocking Hendrickson into his leg.
Here’s the play where Browns OT Jack Conklin injured his left knee (same knee he suffered a torn ACL in back in 2018). Doesn’t look good. pic.twitter.com/eLjpJAyIAe
— ACL Recovery Club (@ACLrecoveryCLUB) September 11, 2023
Jones’ second career NFL game will be a massive test next Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he will face off against T.J. Watt in the trenches. The 2021-22 NFL Defensive Player Of the Year is coming off a huge week against San Francisco where he had three sacks and a forced fumble. Browns center Ethan Pocic commented on the upcoming matchup in a recent meeting with the press.
“T.J.’s a great player and Dawand’s a competitor, so it’s just going to be one of those days where you just come out and compete and play ball and have fun,” Pocic said.
It’s never fun to lose a player as reliable as Conklin, especially after he signed a four-year, $60 million extension back in December. It is, however, relieving to understand that Dawand Jones has a coaching staff that not only believes in him, but understands that he is a rookie who will occasionally make rookie mistakes. Jones has big shoes to fill, but, given his size, he may need bigger shoes.
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