Nazair

Jones

Jones was selected by the Seahawks in the third round of the 2017 draft. He played only 20 games across two seasons before losing all of 2019 to a knee injury. Jones was waived prior to the 2020 season and spent last year out of football. Now two years removed from injury, Jones may be in better position to earn a roster spot this season. The Bill also aded DT Eli Ankou and placed DE Bryan Cox on IR in a corresponding move.

The former 2017 third-round selection played in 20 games, including two starts, over the course of his first two seasons in the NFL, then missed all of 2019 due to a knee injury. The Seahawks certainly aren’t stacked along the interior of their defensive line, so the injury seemingly derailed Jones from whatever future plans the Seahawks had for him. Jones can now be claimed by another team.

A 2017 third-round pick, Jones has made 20 career appearances. He played very limited snaps in 2018. Despite his draft pedigree, Jones will be a candidate to get cut loose with an injury settlement.

Jones (6’5/304) declared for the draft as a redshirt junior after making 21 starts at UNC, tallying 21 career tackles for loss, five sacks, and 12 pass breakups. He only earned third-team All-ACC in 2016. Jones was charted with more run stops than QB pressures as a Tar Heel by PFF College, and lacks NFL pass-rush tools. A sub-par athlete with 5.11 speed and a 24 ½-inch vertical, Jones was routinely pulled off the field in passing situations by UNC’s defensive staff. Still a long-armed (34 5/8"), high-motor defender capable of plugging the run, Jones projects as an early-down rotational lineman.

Jones had an inconsistent UNC career as a two-year starter, earning third-team All ACC in 2016. He underwhelmed at the Combine with 5.11 speed and a 24 ½-inch vertical. Jones will compete for snaps as a rotational run stopper.