Summary

Jowon Briggs was selected in the 7th round (#243rd Overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft out of University of Cincinnati. He played college football for Virginia (2019–2020) before transferring to Cincinnati (2021–2023). Over his collegiate career, he appeared in 59 games (44 starts), totaled ~170 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks across his time at both schools. In his final seasons at Cincinnati, he earned First‑Team All-AAC honors (2022) and was a team captain in 2023, when he received All–Big 12 honorable mention recognition. Briggs is widely regarded for his strength, leadership, and polish as a mature interior lineman — equally comfortable against the run or as a “move‑technique” disruption on pass downs. According to his college coaches, he brings a professional mentality, high football intelligence, and impressive work ethic.

Strengths

• Strength & Power: At roughly 6′1″, 313+ lb, Briggs stands out for his unusual power — especially for a mid-to-late-round pick. He showed it on the bench press during pre-draft testing (39–42 reps at 225 lbs), the most of any prospect in the class. SI

• Run‑Stuffing Potential / Anchor Ability: His strength and lower-body power give him the ability to hold up at the point of attack, take on double teams, and clog run lanes — a valuable trait for 0‑ or 1‑tech roles. Cleveland Browns

• Tackling & Effort: Known for solid fundamentals and effort — not afraid to finish plays. Coaches and scouts have praised his willingness to play hard through the whistle. Cincinnati Athletics

• Versatility / Work as a “Move” Interior DL: Though slightly shorter than some tackles, his combination of strength and quickness allows him to operate as a “move‑technique” interior defensive tackle — a disruptor more than a block‑eater. Cleveland Browns

• Production & Consistency in College: Over five college seasons (Virginia + Cincinnati), he delivered consistent production in tackles for loss and sacks (21.5 TFL, 12 sacks), showing he can perform over a long period.

• Leadership & Character: As a team captain and a respected locker-room presence, he’s been lauded for maturity, professionalism, and high motor — traits that project well at the next level. Cincinnati Athletics

• Initial Pass‑Rush Upside: While not yet a high-pressure interior pass rusher in the NFL, his frame and power suggest he could collapse interior pockets or push the pocket on early downs or sub‑packages.

Weaknesses

• Undersized Length / Height for Some Roles: At 6′1″, Briggs is shorter than prototypical 3‑tech or 1‑tech tackles who often measure 6′3″+. His lack of length could make it harder to shed blocks against long-armed offensive linemen, especially on angle blocks or reaching plays.

• Relatively Limited NFL Upside / Athleticism Ceiling: Burst and athletic metrics are solid but not elite — more power-based than speed‑rush or bend‑heavy.

• Pass-Rush Production (So Far): In limited snaps during his rookie season, his pressure numbers were low — only 4 total pressures on 133 snaps, ranking relatively low among interior defenders.

• Needs Refinement vs Double Teams / Complex Blocks: As a power‑based interior guy, he may struggle when double-teamed or asked to read complex blocking schemes (e.g., stunts, zone‑runs, second‑level blocks), especially given size/length limitations.

• Depth / Role Uncertainty: As a 7th-round pick and traded early in his career, his long-term role remains uncertain — likely to start as a rotational/backup player rather than a guaranteed starter.

• Limited Experience Against Elite Competition: While productive in college, he played at a mid-major (Cincinnati), which raises some questions about how elite-level offensive linemen will test him in the pros.

Fit & Outlook

Jowon Briggs projects as a rotational / depth interior defensive lineman — someone who can be a valuable rotational piece at 1‑ or 3‑tech in a 4‑3, or a 1‑tech in a 3‑4. His strength, run-stuffing ability, and power make him an ideal fit for early-down run-stopping roles, sub‑package pass rush, and nose/tackle duties where gap control and inside pressure matter. Given his power base and effort level, the New York Jets could deploy him in rotation packages, particularly on early downs or in short-yardage/run-heavy situations. With continued development — especially refining hand technique, leverage, and understanding of advanced blocking schemes — he could carve out a 3‑4 year career as a dependable interior DL. In the best-case scenario, he becomes a quality rotational starter or 1‑tech anchor, giving consistent two-gap run defense and occasional interior push. In a more conservative outcome, he remains a solid rotational / depth piece, valuable for depth charts and situational packages given his size, strength, and work ethic.