During the offseason, the Seattle Seahawks made a significant move, signing Dre'Mont Jones to a lucrative three-year, $51.53 million deal. This acquisition is one of the most noteworthy in the franchise's history, underscoring their commitment to bolstering their defensive lineup.
Jones's versatility and defensive abilities were on full display throughout the 2023 season. Initially, he played primarily as a defensive tackle in the first half of the year. However, a strategic shift occurred mid-season when Leonard Williams joined the team in October. Jones adapted to this change by transitioning to the defensive end position, demonstrating his flexibility and skill at multiple positions.
Over the final eight games of the season, Jones accumulated an impressive 302 snaps at defensive end and 61 at tackle. His performance resulted in career-highs in key defensive metrics, including 49 tackles and 12 quarterback hits. Despite recording a career-low of 4.5 sacks, Jones's overall impact on the field was undeniable.
Nolan Teasley, a prominent voice in the Seahawks' organization, highlighted the importance of Jones's versatility. "One thing that I would emphasize is versatility," Teasley remarked. He further elaborated, "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."
Jones's adaptability was further evidenced during minicamp, where he participated in position drills with the outside linebackers. He weighed in at a lean 265-270 pounds, down from his listed 281 pounds, a testament to his dedication and preparation for the upcoming season. In various defensive formations, Jones lined up both on the edge opposite Williams and inside next to him in a nickel package, offering the Seahawks multiple tactical options.
Mike Macdonald echoed Teasley's sentiments about Jones's skillset. "He can do a lot of things. We've talked about it, but we're really excited about Dre'Mont," Macdonald shared. He elaborated on how Jones's capabilities enable the team to play a "little matchup ball" or set up other players. "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 added.
A key financial maneuver by the Seahawks was 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, showcasing savvy cap management by the Seattle front office.
Leonard Williams, who played alongside Jones, also highlighted the unique challenges opponents face due to Jones's versatility. "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."
As the Seahawks look forward to future seasons, Dre'Mont Jones stands as a pivotal piece of their defensive scheme. His ability to perform at multiple positions, coupled with his impressive stats and the strategic financial moves by the front office, positions the Seahawks as a formidable team. The franchise's excitement about Jones's potential is palpable, and his presence on the field is likely to continue making a significant impact.