The Seattle Seahawks made waves in the offseason by inking a three-year, $51.53 million deal with Dre'Mont Jones. This acquisition is noted as one of the franchise's most impactful in its history. Jones, who has consistently demonstrated versatility and defensive prowess, added another dimension to Seattle's lineup throughout the 2023 season.
Jones initially took up the mantle of a defensive tackle, consistently performing at a high level during the first half of the season. His role, however, evolved with the mid-season signing of Leonard Williams in October. Post-signing, Jones shifted to the defensive end position, showcasing his adaptability. Over the final eight games, he logged significant playing time split between the two positions—302 snaps at defensive end and 61 at tackle.
The 2023 season marked a year of personal milestones for Jones. He recorded a career-high of 49 tackles and 12 quarterback hits, underscoring his defensive impact. However, his sack numbers dipped to a career-low of 4.5, a testament perhaps to his varied responsibilities and adjusted role within the defense.
Jones's physical transformation was also notable. During minicamp, he trimmed down to between 265-270 pounds, a reduction from his listed 281 pounds. This shift was strategic, allowing him to add agility and speed to his game, critical for his new roles and responsibilities. He spent time participating in position drills with the outside linebackers, further honing his skills and versatility.
His newly refined physique and skillset were put to the test in various defensive formations. Jones was not confined to a single position; instead, he found himself lining up both on the edge opposite Williams and inside next to him in a nickel package. This versatility did not go unnoticed by his teammates and coaches.
"One thing that I would emphasize is versatility," noted Nolan Teasley, encapsulating the essence of Jones's contribution to the team. Teasley added, "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." The excitement surrounding Jones's multifaceted skillset was palpable.
A similar sentiment was echoed by Mike Macdonald, who said, "I think his skillset lends to trying to play a little matchup ball with him or setting another guy up." Macdonald praised Jones further, "He can do a lot of things. We've talked about it, but we're really excited about Dre'Mont." This excitement was rooted in Jones's capacity to function in different roles and disrupt opposing offenses.
Leonard Williams highlighted the tactical advantage Jones provides, stating, "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." This unpredictability is a defensive coordinator's dream and an offensive strategist's nightmare.
Jones's versatility opens up a myriad of possibilities for the Seahawks' defensive unit. Macdonald articulated this, saying, "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." This ability to mix and match personnel and formations gives the Seahawks an upper hand in creating confusion and mismatches against any opponent.
The Seahawks also made a significant financial maneuver by converting $9.875 million of Jones's $11 million base salary for 2024 into a signing bonus. This strategic move freed up $7.4 million in salary cap space without adding new money to Jones's contract, providing the franchise with additional financial flexibility moving forward.
Dre'Mont Jones's first season with the Seattle Seahawks has been a testament to his adaptability and skill. His journey from a defensive tackle to a dynamic defensive end illustrates his commitment and the coaching staff's strategic vision. As the Seahawks look to build on their defensive strengths, Jones stands out as a pivotal player capable of pushing the team to new heights.