Emery Jones 2025 NFL Draft: LSU OT Scouting Report
In a loaded 2025 NFL Draft class, Emery Jones is a talented offensive tackle to know. He’s a physical OT from LSU with a high football IQ. Today, we’ll break down his NFL outlook with this in-depth expert scouting report. Additionally, we will be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.
Emery Jones 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Jones Jr. is a Baton Rouge native who stayed home to play for LSU, emerging as a cornerstone of the Tigers’ offensive line. A four-star recruit out of Catholic High School, Jones earned accolades as a two-time Division I state champion and a standout in both football and basketball. Since arriving at LSU in 2022, he has started at right tackle in all but two games of his collegiate career, forming a dynamic duo with left tackle Will Campbell. After declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft following his junior season, Jones brings a wealth of experience and a reputation for physicality to the next level.
HT: 6052
WT: 315
HAND: 1068
ARM: 3428
40: 5.08
Strengths:
- Physical Presence and Power: Jones possesses a thick, well-proportioned frame with long arms and a strong lower half. His raw power shines in the run game, where he can displace defenders with authority and finish blocks with a nasty streak.
- Anchor in Pass Protection: His ability to drop his hips and establish a firm base makes him difficult to bull rush. Jones absorbs power moves effectively, giving quarterbacks a clean pocket to work from.
- Experience and Durability: With over 2,400 snaps in the SEC—one of college football’s toughest conferences—Jones has faced elite competition (e.g., Jared Verse, Dallas Turner) and held his own. He rarely misses games and plays through the whistle.
- Versatility Potential: While primarily a right tackle, his athletic traits suggest he could transition to guard if needed. His basketball background hints at untapped agility that could be refined.
- Football IQ: Jones displays patience and awareness in pass sets, rarely getting caught off guard by stunts or twists. He adjusts well to secondary rushers when uncovered.
Areas for Improvement:
- Footwork and Lateral Quickness: Jones’ foot speed is adequate but not elite, leaving him vulnerable to speed rushers who bend the edge. His kick-slide can be choppy, and he struggles to redirect against quick counters.
- Balance and Pad Level: He occasionally plays too upright, especially in the run game, which reduces his leverage and causes him to fall off blocks. Savvy defenders can exploit his high center of gravity.
- Hand Placement: Jones’ punch is powerful but inconsistent. His hands often land outside the frame, risking penalties, and he doesn’t always latch on effectively to control defenders.
- Struggles in Space: When asked to pull or block at the second level, Jones lacks the fluidity and body control to hit moving targets consistently. His effectiveness drops outside the phone booth.
- Snap-to-Snap Consistency: While improved over his career, Jones still has lapses where his technique falters, particularly late in games or against relentless pass rushers.
Conclusion:
Jones projects as a developmental offensive lineman with the tools to become a solid NFL starter. His size, strength, and experience make him an intriguing late Day 2 prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. While he could compete at tackle early in his career, his optimal fit may be at guard, where his deficiencies in space and against speed rushers are less exposed. With coaching to refine his footwork and hand technique, Jones has the upside to anchor an offensive line for years.
Like Donovan Smith, a former second-round pick out of Penn State (2015 NFL Draft), stands at 6’6” and 338 lbs, bringing a comparable frame to Jones. Smith entered the NFL as a powerful, imposing tackle with a strong anchor in pass protection and a mauling presence in the run game. Both players share a thick, broad build with long arms, excelling at stalling bull rushes and driving defenders off the ball in gap schemes.
Ultimately, Jones is a high-upside prospect whose physical tools and SEC pedigree will appeal to teams seeking a tone-setter up front. His success will hinge on improving his agility and consistency. However, the foundation is there for a long, productive career.
Round Grade: 4th Round
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