Seattle Seahawks' Bold Move: Dre'Mont Jones Proves His Versatility
The Seattle Seahawks made a bold statement during the offseason by signing Dre'Mont Jones to a three-year, $51.53 million deal, marking one of the most significant free-agent acquisitions in the franchise's history. This move has quickly paid dividends, with Jones showcasing his versatility and defensive prowess throughout the 2023 season.
During the first half of the season, Jones primarily played as a defensive tackle. However, following the mid-season signing of Leonard Williams in October, he seamlessly transitioned to the defensive end position. Over the final eight games, Jones played 302 snaps at defensive end and 61 at tackle, a testament to his adaptability on the field.
This versatility did not go unnoticed by the Seahawks' coaching staff. "One thing that I would emphasize is versatility," stated Nolan Teasley, emphasizing the importance of having players like Jones who can effectively contribute in multiple roles. Teasley's sentiment is echoed by defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who remarked, "I think his skillset lends to trying to play a little matchup ball with him or setting another guy up."
Despite recording a career-low of 4.5 sacks, Jones achieved career-highs in other critical statistics with 49 tackles and 12 quarterback hits during the 2023 season. His presence on the field was a constant disruption to opposing offenses, making it harder for them to game plan. "It makes it harder for the offense to study us knowing that they may see Dre'Mont at a five-technique on film, and then when we line up and play against them, he's probably going to be playing zero- or three-technique," said Leonard Williams.
Jones' impact extended beyond his on-field performance. During minicamp, he participated in position drills with the outside linebackers, showcasing his willingness to adapt and learn. Notably, he played at a weight between 265-270 pounds, down from his listed 281 pounds, which could potentially enhance his speed and agility.
Jones' ability to line up both on the edge opposite Williams and inside next to him in various defensive formations has provided the Seahawks with a plethora of strategic options. "When you have guys that can do multiple things, play different gaps in the run game and rush at different levels in the pass game and you can have more big guys, it just opens up more personnel groups, more looks you can generate," Macdonald noted, underlining the tactical advantage of having versatile players like Jones.
Off the field, the Seahawks demonstrated financial savvy by converting $9.875 million of Jones's $11 million base salary for 2024 into a signing bonus. This maneuver freed up $7.4 million in salary cap space without adding new money to Jones's contract, providing the Seahawks with more flexibility for future roster moves.
Teasley encapsulates the excitement surrounding Jones, stating, "I know a player that we're really excited about, that they're excited about moving around, is Dre'Mont Jones because of his ability off the edge, his ability to rush anywhere from the three-technique to the six, maybe even out to the nine." Macdonald echoed this enthusiasm: "He can do a lot of things. We've talked about it, but we're really excited about Dre'Mont."
For the Seahawks, Dre'Mont Jones represents more than just a marquee signing. His versatility and consistent performance have solidified his role as a key player in the team's defensive strategy, promising an exciting future for the Seahawks' defense.