The Seattle Seahawks made waves in 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 massive investment underscores the team's commitment to versatility and defensive prowess, qualities that were a hallmark of Jones's game throughout 2023.
The first half of the 2023 season saw Jones primarily lining up as a defensive tackle, where he showcased his ability to disrupt opponents' offensive lines. He anchored the interior defense for the majority of his snaps, a role he performed almost exclusively during those initial months. However, the landscape shifted dramatically in the second half of the season.
Following the mid-season signing of Leonard Williams in October, Jones transitioned to the defensive end position. This move was partly facilitated by a torn pectoral injury suffered by Uchenna Nwosu. Over the final eight games, Jones played 302 snaps at defensive end compared to just 61 at tackle, demonstrating his adaptability and strategic value to the team.
Nolan Teasley, the Seahawks' assistant general manager, emphasized the importance of versatility on the defensive line. "One thing that I would emphasize is versatility," Teasley noted, highlighting the team's approach in retaining Williams and leveraging Jones's multifaceted skills. "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 2023 season was a testament to Jones's impact on the field. He reached career-highs with 49 tackles and 12 quarterback hits while featuring in all 17 games. Despite these impressive numbers, Jones recorded his lowest sack total since 2019 with 4.5 sacks. One memorable moment came in the final minute of a Christmas Eve game against the Tennessee Titans, where one of his sacks helped seal the victory for Seattle.
Seattle's new head coach, Mike Macdonald, who previously coordinated Baltimore's tough-to-solve defense for the last two seasons, is keen on leveraging Jones's skill set. "I think his skillset lends to trying to play a little matchup ball with him or setting another guy up," Macdonald shared. "He can do a lot of things. We've talked about it, but we're really excited about Dre'Mont."
During minicamp, Jones participated in position drills with the outside linebackers, weighing in at a slightly trimmed 265-270 pounds from his listed 281. In various defensive formations, he lined up both on the edge opposite Williams and inside next to him in a nickel package. This flexibility is crucial for creating mismatches and keeping opponents guessing. Williams echoed this sentiment, noting, "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."
Such adaptability is integral to Macdonald’s defensive philosophy. "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 explained. The versatility of both Jones and Williams provides Seattle with a dynamic defensive front capable of adapting to various offensive schemes.
In a strategic move to create additional salary cap space, the Seahawks converted $9.875 million of Jones's $11 million base salary for 2024 into a signing bonus, freeing up $7.4 million without adding new money to the contract. This financial maneuvering underscores the front office’s adeptness at balancing competitive signings with cap management.
As the Seahawks gear up for the upcoming season, the blend of tactical versatility and strategic financial planning paints an optimistic picture. Jones’s evolution from a dominant defensive tackle to a versatile end highlights his importance to the team's defensive schemes. With the guidance of Macdonald and the support of a strengthened defensive lineup, Dre'Mont Jones is poised to make a significant impact, continuing to challenge and disrupt opposing offenses in the ever-competitive NFL landscape.