Identifying the defense end position with Clemson’s Xavier Thomas at No. 138, the Arizona Cardinals double-dipped in the fifth round by going with Texas OT Christian Jones with the 162nd pick.
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Like Thomas, Jones was in college for six years (2018-23). At Texas, the 23-year-old did not play a game in his true freshman year in 2018 and redshirted the following season.
After only starting football when he was a junior in high school, Jones played 61 games with the Longhorns. In his final year of college, the Texas native started all 13 games.
According to NFL draft analyst Steve Muench, Jones is versatile enough to play on either side of the offensive line and has a high ceiling.
“Jones started 48 games and lined up at both tackle spots at Texas,” Muench said. “He gets good pop when he fires off the ball, and he can generate push in the run game. He fits best in a power-heavy scheme but moves well enough to cover up linebackers at the second level and could develop into an effective zone blocker with improved footwork. Jones is quick enough to handle speed off the edge and has the strength to anchor in pass protection.”
With Paris Johnson Jr. and free agent signing Jonah Williams projected to be the starting tackles going into the next NFL season, Jones will compete for his spot on Arizona’s offensive line. After releasing longtime lineman D.J. Humphries, Arizona has Kelvin Beachum, Dennis Daley, Jackson Barton, Carter O’Donnell and Austin Pleasants on the books as well.
On Friday night, the Cardinals also drafted OT Isaiah Adams out of Illinois with the 71st pick.
In the Saturday bonanza, Arizona will finish the 2024 NFL Draft with the No. 191 and 226 selections.
Cardinals add Clemson DE Xavier Thomas with fifth-round pick
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Alec Cipollini covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
