The Seattle Seahawks' offseason move to sign Dre'Mont Jones has proven to be one of the most significant free-agent acquisitions in the franchise's history. The team inked Jones to a three-year, $51.53 million deal, a decision that has reshaped their defensive strategy and added a new dimension to their play.
Jones displayed his versatility and defensive prowess throughout the 2023 season, starting off primarily as a defensive tackle. His adaptability became even more apparent following the mid-season signing of Leonard Williams in October. Jones then transitioned to the defensive end position, where he played a substantial 302 snaps in the final eight games, compared to just 61 snaps at tackle.
This positional switch paid dividends. Jones achieved career-highs with 49 tackles and 12 quarterback hits, demonstrating his effectiveness in his new role. Despite recording a career-low of 4.5 sacks, his contributions were undeniably critical to the Seahawks' defensive front. Jones’s capability to adapt and thrive in different positions on the field did not go unnoticed by the coaching staff and his teammates.
Nolan Teasley emphasized this adaptability, saying, "One thing that I would emphasize is versatility." He went on to elaborate on Jones’s dynamic role: "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."
Mike Macdonald, another key figure in the coaching staff, echoed this sentiment. "I think his skillset lends to trying to play a little matchup ball with him or setting another guy up," Macdonald stated. "He can do a lot of things. We've talked about it, but we're really excited about Dre'Mont." The excitement around Jones's multifaceted abilities was palpable, as his presence allowed the Seahawks to deploy more varied and unpredictable defensive schemes.
Leonard Williams, too, recognized the benefits of having a player like Jones on the team. "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," Williams explained. This kind of unpredictability kept opposing offenses on their toes, enhancing the Seahawks' competitive edge.
In addition to his on-field contributions, Jones also made strategic financial adjustments with the team. The Seahawks converted $9.875 million of his $11 million base salary for 2024 into a signing bonus, thereby freeing up $7.4 million in salary cap space. This move provided Seattle with additional flexibility without adding new money to Jones's contract, showcasing a smart financial maneuver by the franchise.
During minicamp, Jones took part in position drills with the outside linebackers and weighed in at a leaner 265-270 pounds, down from his listed 281 pounds. This physical adjustment likely contributed to his increased agility and effectiveness across different positions. His versatility in practice was further evidenced as he alternated between lining up on the edge opposite Williams and inside next to him in various defensive formations.
As Macdonald aptly summarized, "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."
Jones’s inaugural season with the Seahawks, despite some statistical lows, underlined his crucial role and set a precedent for how defensive versatility can significantly benefit a team. His blend of agility, strength, and strategic play has not only fortified the Seahawks’ defense but has also provided them with the tactical flexibility needed to outmaneuver their opponents.