NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah, a former Browns scout, held a conference call with the media on Friday to preview the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this coming week.
One of the early questions posited to Jeremiah dealt with the Browns and their massive hole at offensive tackle, and how to fill it with the No. 10 pick in the draft. He started with Jedrick Wills, Alabama’s standout right tackle.
“I think when you look at Jedrick Wills from Alabama, he can really move and he’s really good working up to the second level,” Jeremiah said. “Showed some of his athleticism there. A natural knee bender. Good in pass protection. He doesn’t really get beat when you study Alabama. I think he’s the second-best tackle in the draft.”
On Georgia behemoth Andrew Thomas, Jeremiah wasn’t so keen for Cleveland.
“Andrew Thomas, I don’t know that he’s a great fit for that scheme, but it’s an obvious upgrade for them. So they could do a lot worse in taking him. He’ll be a steady solid player again. My issue with him is just some of the balance stuff and staying off the ground.”
Jeremiah then brought up a sleeper from the Senior Bowl, Houston’s Josh Jones. There was tangible excitement in his voice.
“The name that I would keep an eye on, I know there’s a lot of people that
really like Josh Jones from Houston. I think (USC’s) Austin Jackson will go ahead of him. I think he’s a better player. And he’s somebody that as you go through the Combine, I think he’s going to test really well and I think you’re going to start hearing his name mentioned in that top 15-type mix.”
He then delved into why Jones is underrated and highlighted his character,
If you want somebody to fit that offense, I don’t know that anybody fits it better than him. He’s only 20 years old. He’s got great knee bend. He can really move laterally. He’s going to get better. He donated his bone marrow to his sister over the offseason. So he lost an offseason. Obviously speaks to the
kind of brother he is and his character.”
While he didn’t mention him in conjunction with the Browns, earlier in the call Jeremiah called Louisville’s Mekhi Becton “an absolute freak” and advised the New York Giants to select him at No. 4 overall.
