Seahawks' Versatile Asset: Dre'Mont Jones Shines in 2023 Season
The Seattle Seahawks made headlines during the offseason with their acquisition of Dre'Mont Jones, signing him to a lucrative three-year, $51.53 million deal. This move stands as one of the franchise's most impactful free-agent signings, and Jones has certainly lived up to the hype.
Jones brought versatility and defensive prowess to the Seahawks throughout the 2023 season. Initially slotted as a defensive tackle, he demonstrated adaptability as the season progressed. In October, following the signing of Leonard Williams, Jones transitioned smoothly to the defensive end position.
Over the latter half of the season, Jones played a significant role on the defensive line, clocking 302 snaps at defensive end and 61 at tackle over the final eight games. This shift allowed Jones to showcase his broad skill set, contributing to his career-highs of 49 tackles and 12 quarterback hits. However, he also recorded a career-low of 4.5 sacks, a statistic that doesn't quite reflect his overall impact on the field.
Jones's versatility is a cornerstone of Seattle's defensive strategy. As Nolan Teasley highlighted, "One thing that I would emphasize is versatility." His ability to perform at various positions gave the Seahawks more flexibility in their defensive schemes. "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," Teasley added.
Jones's weight management also played a role in his performance. During minicamp, he weighed between 265-270 pounds, down from his listed 281 pounds. This leaner physique may have contributed to his increased agility and effectiveness on the field. At minicamp, Jones participated in drills with the outside linebackers, further showcasing his positional flexibility.
His dynamic playstyle has not only impressed his coaches but also his teammates. Leonard Williams remarked on the challenge Jones presents to opposing offenses: "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."
Seattle's defense benefited from having more players like Jones who can excel in multiple roles. Mike Macdonald commented, "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."
Even financially, the Seahawks found ways to maximize Jones's value to the team. By converting $9.875 million of his $11 million base salary for 2024 into a signing bonus, Seattle freed up $7.4 million in salary cap space without adding new money to his contract. This tactical move allows the team to maintain financial flexibility while continuing to leverage Jones's skills.
Mike Macdonald encapsulated the team's feelings about Jones: "He can do a lot of things. We've talked about it, but we're really excited about Dre'Mont." This sentiment echoes throughout the organization, as they look forward to the continued contributions of their versatile defensive star.
As the Seahawks aim to build a formidable defense, Dre'Mont Jones stands at the heart of their strategy. His adaptability, combined with his consistent production, makes him a critical asset for Seattle's ambitions moving forward.