If you’ve watched a single snap of Iowa football over the last couple of years, you know the drill. It’s physical. It’s gritty. It’s basically a time capsule from 1985, but with better NIL deals. At the center of that beautiful, Midwestern chaos is Logan Jones, a guy who basically defines what it means to be a "Hawkeye Trench Warrior."
He’s currently one of the most polarizing prospects heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. Some scouts see a future Pro Bowler with elite movement skills. Others see a 302-pounder who might get bullied by the 340-pound nose tackles waiting for him in the AFC North.
The Logan Jones NFL draft conversation isn't just about his 700-pound squat or his Rimington Trophy. It’s about whether he can follow in the massive footsteps of Tyler Linderbaum.
From the Defensive Line to the Rimington Trophy
Logan Jones didn't even start his career as a center. He was a defensive tackle.
Kirk Ferentz, a man who knows more about offensive line play than most people know about their own kids, saw something in Jones. He saw the leverage. He saw the "juice" out of the stance. He asked Jones to switch sides of the ball in 2022 to replace Linderbaum, and honestly, that’s like asking someone to replace Prince at a halftime show. It’s a lot of pressure.
Jones didn't just survive the switch; he thrived. By the time the 2025 season wrapped up, he was a unanimous All-American. He won the Rimington Trophy, which is the hardware they give to the best center in the country. He started 50 career games. You don't just stumble into 50 starts under Ferentz. You earn them with blood, sweat, and a lot of film study.
The Statistical Reality
Check out these numbers from his final season, according to PFF. They are kind of insane:
- Pass Blocking Grade: 90.1 (Ranked 1st among all FBS centers).
- Sacks Allowed: 1.
- Penalties: 0. (Yeah, zero).
- Total Pressures Allowed: 3.
When you see a guy play 704 snaps and not get flagged once, that’s not luck. That’s elite discipline.
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Why NFL Scouts Are Both Salivating and Worried
Here is where the Logan Jones NFL draft stock gets tricky. If you look at his "Freaks List" profile—Bruce Feldman had him at No. 7 entering the season—the athleticism is off the charts. We are talking about a guy who holds the Iowa squat record at 705 pounds. He moves like a tight end in space.
But he’s small.
He measures in at 6-foot-3 and roughly 302 pounds. In the NFL, that’s "undersized." Scouts have pointed out that his arms are a bit short, coming in under 31 inches. If a massive defensive tackle like Dexter Lawrence gets his hands on Jones' chest first, it’s going to be a long afternoon for the Iowa product.
Scheme Fit is Everything
Because of his size and lateral quickness, Jones isn't for everyone.
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- The Ideal Fit: A Wide Zone scheme. Think Mike McDaniel in Miami or Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco. They need centers who can reach-block a 3-technique and get to the second level to wipe out linebackers. Jones is built for that.
- The "No Thanks" Fit: A heavy Gap/Power scheme. Teams that want to just drive-block and "man-handle" people might find him lacking the pure mass to anchor against a double-team.
The Detroit Lions Connection
There is a lot of buzz about Logan Jones landing with the Detroit Lions.
It makes too much sense. Detroit’s offensive line is the heartbeat of that team, but Frank Ragnow’s retirement left a massive hole. Graham Glasgow has been the bridge, but his PFF grades haven't been stellar lately—hovering around 57.4.
The Lions love Iowa players. Jack Campbell and Sam LaPorta are already stars there. Jones has that "grit" Dan Campbell talks about in every press conference. He’s a tone-setter. If he’s available in the second or third round, don't be surprised if the Lions sprint to the podium.
Final Evaluation of Logan Jones NFL Draft Stock
The Logan Jones NFL draft path is likely going to land him somewhere on Day 2. While some fans want to see him as a first-rounder because of the Rimington Trophy, the "measurables" usually keep sub-310-pound centers out of the top 32 picks.
However, his floor is incredibly high. He’s a 24-year-old "graduate" prospect. He’s mature. He’s played in a pro-style system that asks the center to make all the calls. He’s basically a "plug-and-play" starter for a zone-blocking team.
Actionable Insights for Draft Observers
- Watch the Combine: If Jones runs a sub-5.00 forty and puts up 35+ reps on the bench, his "undersized" label won't matter as much.
- Scheme Check: If your favorite team runs a lot of outside zone (Rams, 49ers, Dolphins, Packers), put Jones on your radar.
- Senior Bowl: Watch his 1-on-1 drills. That is where he will prove if his short arms are a dealbreaker or if his technique can overcome the reach disadvantage.
The Iowa-to-NFL pipeline is real, and Logan Jones is the next man up. He might not be the biggest guy in the room, but he’s usually the strongest and the smartest. In the NFL, that’s a winning combination.