Steelers 1st-Round NFL Draft Pick: Experts Weigh In On Broderick Jones

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Steelers traded up in the NFL Draft's first round Thursday to acquire Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones. Was the trade worth it?

Most football writers grading the pick believe it was.

Jones started at left tackle for the Georgia and was a 2022 All-SEC choice. He started 15 games for the Bulldogs last season as the team won its second consecutive CFP National Championship Game.

To obtain Jones, the Steelers made a deal with the New England Patriots to move up from 17th to 14th in the first round. The Patriots received the Steelers' 17th pick in the first round and will get a fourth-round pick this weekend.

Here's what football writers are saying about the Jones pick:

• Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: B-plus grade. "He is a long, athletic tackle who will get bigger and stronger at the next level. He can move for a man his size. The Steelers had to upgrade their tackle spot, so this move to get up made sense. Jones might have the most upside of any offensive lineman in this class."

• Gilberto Manzano, Sports Illustrated: B-grade. "The Steelers moved up three spots to ensure they got one of the last available prospects from the top tier of tackles. Jones is known for his athleticism and discipline, and could now be the Steelers’ left tackle of the future."

• Chad Reuter, NFL.Com: A-grade. "There is no chill in Jones’ game, whether he’s attacking an edge rusheror getting downfield to hit a linebacker on run plays. If he continues to tighten up his technique, the Steelers will be very pleased with this pick."

• Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports: B-Grade. "Jones is raw as a prospect, but there's no doubting his upside and movement skills at left tackle. For a team that really needed offensive tackle help, he's a quality dice roll."

• Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report: B-plus grade. "Jones is young, but he can immediately step into the starting left tackle spot and displace Dan Moore Jr. after two admirable but replacement-level seasons. This selection is as much about Kenny Pickett's development as it is getting a very talented blocker with All-Pro potential if developed correctly.