Barrett Jones was a four-year starter and team leader at the University of Alabama.  It’s not often that a lineman starts every year of their college career, especially in the ultra-competitive SEC.  Jones brings a ton of experience to the table, and is widely considered the top center prospect in this year’s class. 

Let’s take a look at our scouting report of this versatile offensive-line prospect. 

Strengths

Versatility: Throughout his four years at Alabama, Jones played all four positions along the offensive line.  He spent the first two years playing tackle, then moved inside to guard for his junior season and finished off his final year playing center.  Jones has the ability to play any interior position at the next level and could even lineup at right tackle if need be. 

Technique: Because he was a four-year starter, Jones has developed and polished his top-notch technique.  Jones gets off the snap extremely quick, gets his butt low and keeps his pads at a great level.  He has above-average footwork and coordination as well.  When Jones gets to the NFL, teams won’t have to spend any time refining his technique, which is a big plus.  

Intelligence:  Jones is great at reading defenses before the snap.  Throughout his time at Alabama, you can constantly see him pointing out things about the defensive scheme and yelling instructions down the line. 

Weaknesses

Strength/Athleticism: While he does a lot of things well on the field, Jones isn’t going to blow anyone away with his strength or athleticism.  Jones has a hard time being forceful and pushing around bigger, stronger lineman and linebackers and even though he’s good at pulling and moving upfield; Jones isn’t the quickest and can get beaten by faster defenders. 

Body Type: At 6’4” and 306 pounds, Jones appears to have prototypical size for an NFL lineman; at least on paper.  But when you take a closer look, Jones isn’t built like the new-school, tall and muscular linemen you see in the NFL today.  He’s built more like the old-school “loose around the middle” types from our childhood. 

Injury Concerns: Throughout the course of his college career, Jones has battled a number of injuries.  While he has shown the toughness to play through them to an extent, his production clearly suffers when he’s not completely healthy.  Teams have to be worried about spending a high pick on a lineman that can’t stay on the field. 

Bottom Line

Jones experience, leadership, technique and versatility make him an intriguing option for most teams in need of interior-line help.  But with lingering effects from a lisfranc injury, there’s a good chance that Jones will have to start the season on the PUP list.  Is a potential first, or high-second round pick really worth a player that might have to miss at least the first six weeks? That’s the million dollar question we’ll find out the answer to in a few days.