Browns rookie impresses against Eagles All-Pro in joint practice
The Browns are having joint practices with the Eagles to give their players some outside competition and one of their rookies is continuing to impress.
Right tackle Dawand Jones, Cleveland's fourth-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, went up against Super Bowl champion and All-Pro DE Brandon Graham in a one-on-one and won.
Jones' victory against Graham only adds to his case of being one of the biggest steals in this year's draft following an already impressive showing in the preseason. Through the Browns' first two games, he has allowed zero sacks and just one pressure on 71 pass-blocking snaps, per PFF.
However, the massive 6-foot-8, 375-pound offensive tackle is currently the backup to veteran two-time Pro Bowler Jack Conklin and there are no signs of that changing anytime soon.
Offensive line coach Bill Callahan said he believes Jones still has a ways to go after Cleveland's 21-16 win in the Hall of Fame Game.
"For any rookie coming in as an offensive lineman, it's going to be a process," Callahan said. "I really thought his pass protection took some major steps. He still has a long ways to go yet. We're still working on the run-technique aspect of his play to make him a more complete player. But it was good to see him perform under the lights against good competition."
It doesn't seem likely that Jones will get a shot at starting in 2023, particularly with Conklin coming off a strong 2022 campaign where allowed just two sacks, but if Jones continues to play as well as he has the rest of the preseason, the Browns should at least consider a competition at right tackle.
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