Dre'Mont

Jones

The Jones release, which was rumored in February, frees up $11.572 million in cap space for Seattle. Jones, entering his age-28 season, has been more adequate than disastrous for Seattle. He’s probably got a chance to find a starter role elsewhere, and at worst could end up as part of a rotation. His PFF grades for 2023 and 2024 were 61.7 and 54.3, respectively. Denver had more success using him on the inside earlier in his career, and Jones could be a better fit in that role going forward.

Jones is entering the final year of a three-year deal he snagged in the 2023 offseason and the Seahawks would save $11.57 million in cap space in 2025 by releasing the veteran. The veteran defensive lineman has been a bit of a disappointment for Seattle, finishing with decent PFF pass rush grades of 65.9 and 65.1 over the past two seasons while notching only eight sacks. Dugar writes that Jones “might be the team’s fifth-best pass rusher when everyone is healthy.”

Nwosu missed Week 1 with an MCL sprain and is expected to miss further time. LB Tyrel Dodson (shoulder) also did not practice, while Jerome Baker and Dre’Mont Jones were limited with hamstring issues. The Seahawks’ linebacking corps looks thinner with the injuries stacking up and Mike Macdonald’s defense hopes to get healthier later in the week for a Week 2 Patriots opponent featuring a bell cow running back in Rhamondre Stevenson.

The Seahawks signed Jones to a three-year, $51 million contract last offseason. He went on to appear in all 17 games for them while totaling 4.5 sacks and five TFLs but did little to help a defense that allowed the second-most rushing yards per game and the third-most yards overall. According to The Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta, Jones’ restructured deal creates $7.4 million in cap space for the Seahawks, while they also added two void years for 2026 and 2027.

Jones amassed 22 sacks in his four years with the Broncos and was one of the most sought after defensive tackles in free agency. The versatile edge rusher also had 11 run stuffs in 13 games in 2022, highlighting his abilities to win in various aspects on the edge. Jones should be a good fit for defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt’s 3-4 scheme, which asks more of its defensive tackles. Jones makes $51 million over three years on the new deal.

Jones has been a frequent speculation target to the Bears, who need a three-technique in the worst way. There was some discussion about the Broncos franchise-tagging him but in the end it wasn’t a close decision. Jones had 6.5 sacks in 13 2022 appearances and has 22 sacks in four years with the Broncos. He did end the season on IR due to a hip injury.

Jones does not require surgery but will be sidelined the next 4-6 weeks. He hasn’t been impressing on Pro Football Focus, but the 2019 third-rounder will head into free agency with 6.5 sacks in 13 2022 appearances. He turns 26 in January. He could draw interest as a situational pass rusher.

He will be placed on injured reserve. On the same day Denver lost both Drew Lock (shoulder) and Courtland Sutton (torn ACL) for an extended period, Jones reportedly suffered a PCL strain and bone bruise in his knee. Teammate DeMarcus Walker is also expected to “miss some time” with an injury. Expect the Broncos to bring in a number of new faces before squaring off against the Buccaneers in Week 3.

Coach Vic Fangio said he’s “not sure of the severity” and left open the idea Jones could suit up as early as this week. Having said that, the third-round rookie was spotted in a walking boot postgame — a telling sign for his availability moving forward. Jones has chipped in six tackles and a sack as a reserve pass rusher in his first season with the Broncos, which could buy him more reps as a future starter in 2020. He should be considered closer to doubtful to return this year.

Jones (6’3/281) made 37 starts across three seasons for Ohio State, earning first-team All-B1G in 2018 and graduating with 22 career TFLs and ten sacks. Also a plus run stopper, Jones was PFF College’s No. 1-graded defensive tackle in the Big Ten last season, leading the conference in QB pressures (52) by an interior lineman. Jones is light in the pants for a three-down NFL player, however, and disappointingly tested as a 25th-percentile athlete in Indy. Ultimately, Jones best projects as a gap-shooting specialist in the Tom Johnson mold.