It's good to have an offensive lineman who specializes in run blocking or pass blocking, but it's better to have one who can be reliable in either situation.
The Las Vegas Raiders would gain such a prospect if they were to add offensive tackle Christian Jones of Texas in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jones started 13 games at right tackle in his final season with the Longhorns, leading an offensive line that blocked for the nation's ninth-best offense at 477.5 yards per game and was named a Joe Moore Award semifinalist as one of the nation's top offensive line units. Texas won the Big 12 title and made it to the College Football Playoff as the No. 3 seed. The Longhorns finished third in the final AP Poll.
As a result of his strong 2023 campaign, Jones was named an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 75.2, a run-blocking grade of 75.2, a pass-blocking grade of 78.1, and a zone grade of 82.6 for his 2023 season.
The season prior, Jones started all 13 games at right tackle, helping block for the Doak Walker Award winner, running back Bijan Robinson, who went on to become an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist this past NFL season. Robinson rushed for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding 314 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns on 19 receptions. Jones was named an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
Jones started in all 12 games in the 2021 season and all 10 in the 2020 season for Texas. He played in 13 games in the 2019 season after not playing in the 2018 season, his first year with the program.
From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.
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