Pros and cons of Arizona Cardinals picking Texas football’s Christian Jones in NFL draft

Arizona added to its offensive line when it drafted Texas senior Christian Jones on Saturday.

Jones was taken in the fifth round of the NFL draft with the 162nd overall pick. A sixth-year senior, Jones is the first Texas offensive lineman to be drafted since 2021.

"I’m so happy I get to be in Arizona," Jones said in a statement released by Texas. "It’s a great environment, the coaching staff is very young and has new, fresh energy, and I’m just excited to be able to get to go out there and showcase my talent. All I needed was an opportunity every single step of the way, and now I’ve got it. It’s always good to go someplace that you’re wanted, and they see talent in me, and I’m so ready to work."

What Jones brings to Cardinals in 2024 NFL draft

In Jones, Arizona drafted a four-year starter for the Longhorns. The 6-5, 305-pound Jones can play both right tackle and left tackle. He was mostly used as a right tackle over the past two seasons.

NFL.com ranked Jones as the No. 17 offensive tackle in this draft class.

Jones strengths, weaknesses at Texas

On its list of pros and cons for Jones, NFL.com wrote that he is "well-built and proportional, with outstanding wingspan and huge hands." Jones also "uses length and power to corral and stabilize his block."

As for the negatives, NFL.com surmised that Jones lacks foot quickness and has athletic limitations.

In a statement released by Texas, UT coach Steve Sarkisian said that "Because of the fact that he hasn’t play a ton of football relative to most guys, I think his best days are ahead of him. His development is not complete, he can continue to grow as a player and inevitably be a really productive player at the professional level. The Cardinals are lucky to have him, as a player, teammate and awesome representative of their franchise in every way."

Jones stats with Texas

Jones earned an honorable mention on the Big 12's all-conference team in both 2022 and 2023. In his career, he appeared in 61 games and made 48 starts.