Texas RT Christian Jones receives hands-on work with the Saints coach at pro day.
This week, the New Orleans Saints were active at the Texas Longhorns’ pro day. In addition to keeping an eye on nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat and speaking with linebacker Jaylan Ford and other prospects, the Saints were able to run right tackle Christian Jones through position drills as hopefuls prepared for the 2024 NFL draft. According to Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda, Jones was led through workouts by a Saints coach.
Pauline does not say if offensive line coach John Benton, senior assistant Rick Dennison, or assistant line coach Jahri Evans put Jones through his paces, but the Saints gained valuable information.
Jones, at 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds, embodies the athletic archetype that the organization has demonstrated they appreciate, and he moves very effectively for a player his size either blocking out in space or crossing behind the line of scrimmage. He also had a great week of workouts at the Senior Bowl against other draft hopefuls, and he has checked practically every box throughout the predraft process.
The 23-year-old started 48 of 61 games for Texas, mostly on the right side (though he did start at left tackle for much of the 2021 season). According to Pro Football Focus, he surrendered only one sack on 511 pass protection snaps last season.
Jones is currently predicted to be a third-round pick, but he might rise higher and be a possibility for New Orleans in the second round at No. 45 overall (if the pick returns to them from the Denver Broncos). The Saints need a long-term answer at right tackle after asking Ryan Ramczyk to accept a significant salary reduction while managing his degenerative knee condition. Jones may be the proper guy to take up that mantle.
