Jamarco Jones' draft wait was longer than expected, but it finally came to an end in the fifth round.
Jones became the second Ohio State offensive lineman to be selected in the 2018 NFL draft when the Seattle Seahawks drafted Jones with the No. 168 overall pick on Saturday.
I appreciate all the love and support from everyone! Thank you to the Seahawks for giving me a chance to live out my dream!!! Ready to get to work in Seattle #GoHawks
— Jamarco Jones (@jjones_74) April 28, 2018
A two-year starter at left tackle for the Buckeyes, Jones is the second Ohio State offensive tackle to be drafted in three years, joining his predecessor at left tackle, Taylor Decker, who the Detroit Lions selected in the first round (No. 16 overall) in 2016.
Jones joins Ohio State's starting center from last season, Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick Billy Price (No. 21 overall), as Buckeyes offensive linemen to be selected in this year's draft. They are the fifth and sixth Ohio State offensive linemen to be selected in the past four years, following 2017 third-round pick Pat Elflein (No. 70 overall, Minnesota Vikings), Decker, 2014 second-round pick Jack Mewhort (No. 59, Indianapolis Colts) and fifth-round pick Corey Linsley (No. 161, Green Bay Packers).
In total, Jones is the seventh Buckeye to be selected in this year's draft – matching last year's total of Ohio State draft selections – following Cleveland Browns first-round pick Denzel Ward (No. 4 overall), Price, Indianapolis Colts second-round pick Tyquan Lewis (No. 64 overall), Miami Dolphins third-round pick Jerome Baker (No. 73 overall), Cincinnati Bengals third-round pick Sam Hubbard (No. 77 overall) and Minnesota Vikings fourth-round pick Jalyn Holmes (No. 102 overall).
Jones is the second Buckeye to be selected by the Seahawks in the last three years, joining former Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett, the No. 94 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft.
Jones was projected to be selected as early as the second or third round of the draft, but he ended up remaining on the board much longer, likely due to a disappointing showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, where his performance in the measurable tests were among the worst among offensive linemen. After two dominant years of play for the Buckeyes, though, Jones will now look to establish himself as one of the steals of this year's draft.
Jones is likely to begin his career with the Seahawks as a backup to left tackle Duane Brown and right tackle Germain Ifedi, but Ifedi has struggled in his first two NFL seasons since being selected in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft, which could open the door to a starting spot if Ifedi does not improve as hoped this season. Jones could also be moved inside to see playing time at guard.
