Michael Citro
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Former Buckeye Matthew Jones has legit shot at making Miami’s roster
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The undrafted free agent may be in the best spot possible for him to earn a spot on an NFL roster.
Of the undrafted former Ohio State players who signed undrafted free agent deals with NFL teams, one of the best opportunities has fallen for offensive lineman Matthew Jones. The five-time OSU letterman (taking advantage of the COVID pandemic year) signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Miami Dolphins and he’ll try to earn a spot in camp ahead of the 2024 NFL season.
The Dolphins desperately want to take a step forward as a contender under Head Coach Mike McDaniel, utilizing his prolific and inventive offense, but the team suffered from inconsistent play last season — especially against top competition — in two main areas. Those shortcomings were on defense and along the offensive line, although both can largely be attributed to a plague of injuries to starters.
Jones not being drafted was likely a bit surprising to many Buckeye fans, but it may be partially due to a poor showing at the NFL Combine, where he graded out at 5.89 (out of 8.0), which projects him as an “average backup” or special teams player. His perceived weaknesses are core power, driving power (due to hand placement), technique in base blocking concepts, and susceptibility to counter-moves.
On the other hand, his strengths are more numerous. Jones is quick to get out of his stance and into his run-blocking lateral steps. He explodes into his opponent on drive blocks, he has good feet and can make blocks at the second level of the defense, and he reacts well in pass protection.
These are traits that I believe can help him make either the Miami roster or the practice squad in 2024.
The Dolphins struggled with offensive line health in 2023, playing multiple backups throughout the season for extended periods, including center Liam Eichenberg — brother of Jones’ college teammate, Tommy. Eichenberg saw action in all 16 games last year, starting 12, and struggling at times with both untimely penalties and pass protection.
In all, Miami started 12 different offensive line combinations last year, which was second in the NFL only to the 13 combinations used by the New York Jets. While Miami led the NFL in fewest quarterback hits (59), much of that was due to the Dolphins’ offensive philosophy under Mike McDaniel of getting the ball out quickly.
Long-term injuries to starting center Connor Williams and left guard Isaiah Wynn, as well as stretches of games without left tackle Terron Armstead and/or right guard Robert Hunt, hindered Miami in 2023. Of the starters who were out of contract, Wynn has re-signed, but Hunt won’t be back in 2024 after signing a $100 million deal with the Carolina Panthers.
Williams is recovering from a torn ACL, but the Dolphins signed former Cardinals center Aaron Brewer to a three-year contract. Veteran backup tackle Kendall Lamm is back for one more season, and he’ll be expected to be the primary backup on both sides for Armstead and Austin Jackson.
Despite needing to bolster the injury-prone offensive line, the Dolphins only drafted tackle Patrick Paul out of Houston. The majority of Miami’s 2024 draft was spent replacing departed defensive players and adding wide receiver depth.
Jones is one of three undrafted free agent offensive linemen who will be trying to make Miami’s roster in 2024, along with Texas-El Paso center Andrew Meyer and South Florida tackle Bayron Matos. Jones may be the most versatile of the three and won’t be in contention for a tackle spot. However, his ability to play both center and guard may help him. With Hunt gone, there will be competition for the starting right guard spot, which is in Jones’ wheelhouse, as shown in the video below.
The Dolphins’ roster strategy involves not spending big on certain positions — including guard — and filling out the roster with experienced pros and young players with upside. That also plays into Jones’ hands. If Jones can show as well as a guy with a higher price tag, it could work in his favor.
The presumed starter on the depth chart at right guard at the moment is fourth-year veteran Robert Jones, a Middle Tennessee State product who returns to Miami on a one-year deal. He doesn’t necessarily project as an NFL starter, although he can fill in at multiple positions along the line. I believe Matthew Jones is capable of surpassing the guy who shares his last name, but he’ll have to earn his way there. But Matthew will also have to pass 2022 (New England Patriots) sixth-round pick Chasen Hines on the depth chart. Hines is an LSU product who was signed to Miami’s practice squad in August of 2023 and inked a reserve/future contract in January.
In short, the path to starting right guard for Miami at the moment seems attainable for Matthew Jones. But opportunity is only part of the equation. He’ll have to arrive in shape and prepared, be willing to put in the work and execute when given his chance. The NFL is an unforgiving league, and it’s not easy for undrafted free agents to make their NFL rosters.
Being in a favorable spot doesn’t guarantee him anything, but there is an opportunity for Matthew Jones in Miami.
Continue reading...
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The undrafted free agent may be in the best spot possible for him to earn a spot on an NFL roster.
Of the undrafted former Ohio State players who signed undrafted free agent deals with NFL teams, one of the best opportunities has fallen for offensive lineman Matthew Jones. The five-time OSU letterman (taking advantage of the COVID pandemic year) signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Miami Dolphins and he’ll try to earn a spot in camp ahead of the 2024 NFL season.
The Dolphins desperately want to take a step forward as a contender under Head Coach Mike McDaniel, utilizing his prolific and inventive offense, but the team suffered from inconsistent play last season — especially against top competition — in two main areas. Those shortcomings were on defense and along the offensive line, although both can largely be attributed to a plague of injuries to starters.
Jones not being drafted was likely a bit surprising to many Buckeye fans, but it may be partially due to a poor showing at the NFL Combine, where he graded out at 5.89 (out of 8.0), which projects him as an “average backup” or special teams player. His perceived weaknesses are core power, driving power (due to hand placement), technique in base blocking concepts, and susceptibility to counter-moves.
On the other hand, his strengths are more numerous. Jones is quick to get out of his stance and into his run-blocking lateral steps. He explodes into his opponent on drive blocks, he has good feet and can make blocks at the second level of the defense, and he reacts well in pass protection.
These are traits that I believe can help him make either the Miami roster or the practice squad in 2024.
The Dolphins struggled with offensive line health in 2023, playing multiple backups throughout the season for extended periods, including center Liam Eichenberg — brother of Jones’ college teammate, Tommy. Eichenberg saw action in all 16 games last year, starting 12, and struggling at times with both untimely penalties and pass protection.
In all, Miami started 12 different offensive line combinations last year, which was second in the NFL only to the 13 combinations used by the New York Jets. While Miami led the NFL in fewest quarterback hits (59), much of that was due to the Dolphins’ offensive philosophy under Mike McDaniel of getting the ball out quickly.
Long-term injuries to starting center Connor Williams and left guard Isaiah Wynn, as well as stretches of games without left tackle Terron Armstead and/or right guard Robert Hunt, hindered Miami in 2023. Of the starters who were out of contract, Wynn has re-signed, but Hunt won’t be back in 2024 after signing a $100 million deal with the Carolina Panthers.
Williams is recovering from a torn ACL, but the Dolphins signed former Cardinals center Aaron Brewer to a three-year contract. Veteran backup tackle Kendall Lamm is back for one more season, and he’ll be expected to be the primary backup on both sides for Armstead and Austin Jackson.
Despite needing to bolster the injury-prone offensive line, the Dolphins only drafted tackle Patrick Paul out of Houston. The majority of Miami’s 2024 draft was spent replacing departed defensive players and adding wide receiver depth.
Jones is one of three undrafted free agent offensive linemen who will be trying to make Miami’s roster in 2024, along with Texas-El Paso center Andrew Meyer and South Florida tackle Bayron Matos. Jones may be the most versatile of the three and won’t be in contention for a tackle spot. However, his ability to play both center and guard may help him. With Hunt gone, there will be competition for the starting right guard spot, which is in Jones’ wheelhouse, as shown in the video below.
The Dolphins’ roster strategy involves not spending big on certain positions — including guard — and filling out the roster with experienced pros and young players with upside. That also plays into Jones’ hands. If Jones can show as well as a guy with a higher price tag, it could work in his favor.
The presumed starter on the depth chart at right guard at the moment is fourth-year veteran Robert Jones, a Middle Tennessee State product who returns to Miami on a one-year deal. He doesn’t necessarily project as an NFL starter, although he can fill in at multiple positions along the line. I believe Matthew Jones is capable of surpassing the guy who shares his last name, but he’ll have to earn his way there. But Matthew will also have to pass 2022 (New England Patriots) sixth-round pick Chasen Hines on the depth chart. Hines is an LSU product who was signed to Miami’s practice squad in August of 2023 and inked a reserve/future contract in January.
In short, the path to starting right guard for Miami at the moment seems attainable for Matthew Jones. But opportunity is only part of the equation. He’ll have to arrive in shape and prepared, be willing to put in the work and execute when given his chance. The NFL is an unforgiving league, and it’s not easy for undrafted free agents to make their NFL rosters.
Being in a favorable spot doesn’t guarantee him anything, but there is an opportunity for Matthew Jones in Miami.
Continue reading...