OT Josh Jones selected by Cardinals with 72nd pick in 2020 NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals selected Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones with the 72nd overall pick in the NFL Draft, potentially making for a three-person competition at right tackle for the 2020 season.

At 6-foot-5 and 318 pounds, Jones could compete with Justin Murray and Marcus Gilbert for a starting role. At the least, he could add depth and challenge for a starting spot if either of the returning tackles leave after the 2020 season, when they are free agents.

Murray started 12 games for the Cardinals last season, while Gilbert was a standout in the offseason and projected starter at right tackle before he suffered a torn ACL that ended his season before it started.

Mock drafts widely believed the Cardinals would consider taking a tackle to start opposite D.J. Humphries with the No. 8 overall pick, but general manager Steve Keim couldn’t resist taking Clemson defender Isaiah Simmons after he fell to them in the first round.

Jones, most would agree, fell further than expected as well.

Some considered him a darkhorse to sneak in the first round. Jones was the second best-available player on ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s board when Arizona picked him in the third round.

Pro Football Focus graded Jones as the best offensive tackle in the 2020 draft class — though it should be noted he faced lesser competition playing at Houston. Still, his 93.2 rating was the highest the service has ever graded a group-of-five tackle.

According to PFF, Jones allowed just 18 pressures on 1,282 pass-blocking snaps in the past three seasons for the Cougars.

While Jones has physical tools to be a high-upside projection, he has work to do in cleaning up his footwork and improving technique. He’ll also have to smoothly convert to the right side after only playing as a left tackle for Houston.

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