The Steelers keep adding depth ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, this time signing offensive lineman Jarron Jones.
Jones, 26, most recently played for the XFL's New York Guardians, where he was a first-round pick in the 2020 XFL Entry Draft. Jones joins safety Tyree Kinnel, wide receiver Saeed Blacknall, defensive backs Breon Borders and Arrion Springs, offensive tackle Anthony Coyle, center John Keenoy, defensive linemen Cavon Walker and Dewayne Hendrix and long-snapper/linebacker Christian Kuntz as recent Steelers signees from the now-defunct XFL.
Before landing with the Guardians, Jones' path at the professional level was interesting. He originally was signed by the Giants as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2017 before going to the practice squads of the Seahawks, Cowboys, Giants (again), Buccaneers, Redskins, Lions and Bills.
Jones actually played on the other side of the ball during his four years at Notre Dame. As a defensive lineman there, Jones posted 105 tackles (59 solo), 4.5 sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles.
At the NFL level, Jones, who is 6-foot-6, 320 pounds, was shifted to the offensive line, where he landed on the outside, at tackle.
Now with his ninth team in three years, Jones hopes to make a splash with the Steelers and stick around on the practice squad — or better. He'll join an offensive tackle room that currently includes Alejandro Villanueva at left tackle and a likely camp battle between Zach Banner and Chuks Okorafor at right tackle if Matt Feiler moves inside to replace Ramon Foster at left guard, as many expect.
While that doesn't leave much room for Jones in the short term, Villanueva, Banner and Feiler are set to become unrestricted free agents at the end of the season. If Jones impresses and can stick around on the practice squad throughout the season, that may give him an opening to try out again in 2021 for an increased role.
