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2017 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers Picks, Grades and Analysis

By Nicholas McGee

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A general view before the start of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A general view before the start of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 24, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi Rebels beat Texas A&M Aggies 23-3. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi Rebels beat Texas A&M Aggies 23-3. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 6, Pick No. 14

Player: [DT] D.J. Jones, Ole Miss

Height/Weight: 6’1″ and 319 pounds

Collegiate Statistics

You thought the 49ers were done adding interior defensive lineman? Think again.

The Niners strengthened matters further on the defensive side of the trenches with the selection of Ole Miss defensive tackle D.J. Jones.

Jones has drawn comparisons to Atlanta Falcons Grady Jarrett, excelling in run defense due to his ability to anchor and his tackle radius, which should allow him to earn a spot in the defensive line rotation.

Strengths

Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller said of Jones: [He] has the mass to sit down and close off traffic to the second level.

He’s a tough, high-motor player with the lower-body power to be an effective anchor.

Weaknesses

Miller criticised Jones for a lack of lateral quickness and also believes he lacks the first step to beat a blocker to gap.

Jones also had issues being too easily controlled by angle blocks, per Miller, who was similarly critical of his poor conditioning and lack of production as a pass rusher — six sacks in two seasons at Ole Miss.

Why he fits

The likes of Mike Purcell, Chris Jones and Tank Carradine are far from guarantees to make the roster, so he has a decent shot to earn a spot on the defensive line rotation.

And, with all the interior pass rushers they have collected, the 49ers could use an extra run-plugger in the middle.

Most draft analysts had a fourth to fifth-round grade on Jones, so to get him in the sixth is nice work from the 49ers.

Grade: B