The Seattle Seahawks made a major splash during the offseason by securing Dre'Mont Jones with a three-year, $51.53 million contract, a move that stands out as one of the franchise's most important free-agent acquisitions to date. Jones, known for his versatility and defensive acumen, put these traits on full display throughout the 2023 season.
A Season of Versatility
Originally playing as a defensive tackle in the first half of the season, Jones adapted seamlessly to a new role following the mid-season signing of Leonard Williams in October. Transitioning to defensive end, Jones logged 302 snaps in his new position while still contributing 61 snaps at tackle over the final eight games of the season. This adaptability allowed Jones to showcase his diverse defensive skillset, much to the excitement of the Seahawks' coaching staff.
"One thing that I would emphasize is versatility," said Nolan Teasley, echoing a sentiment that permeated the team’s strategy in utilizing Jones.
Impressive Statistics
Statistically, Jones had a mixed season. He achieved career-highs with 49 tackles and 12 quarterback hits, demonstrating his ability to influence plays consistently. However, his sack count fell to a career-low of 4.5, contrasting with his otherwise stellar performance metrics.
Mike Macdonald highlighted Jones's multifaceted skillset, stating, "I think his skillset lends to trying to play a little matchup ball with him or setting another guy up. He can do a lot of things. We've talked about it, but we're really excited about Dre'Mont."
Strategic Financial Moves
In a strategic financial maneuver, Seattle converted $9.875 million of Jones’s $11 million base salary for 2024 into a signing bonus. This conversion freed up $7.4 million in salary cap space, providing the team with much-needed flexibility without adding new money to Jones’s contract. Such moves reflect the team’s commitment to both retaining top talent and maintaining financial prudence.
Adjustments and Tactical Usage
Jones’s role within the Seahawks' defensive schemes has been dynamic. He participated in position drills with the outside linebackers during minicamp, where he also weighed in between 265-270 pounds, down from his listed 281 pounds. This weight adjustment likely contributed to his agility and performance on the field.
Jones lined up in various formations, both on the edge opposite Leonard Williams and inside next to him in nickel packages. This versatility made it difficult for opposing offenses to plan effectively, as highlighted by Williams: "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."
Excitement for the Future
Looking towards the future, Seattle’s defensive plans appear promising with Jones at the center of their schemes. The Seahawks are set to exploit his ability to play multiple positions effectively, thereby creating confusion for opposing offenses and opening up various personnel groups and defensive looks.
Mike Macdonald reiterated the strategic advantage, 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."
In Dre’Mont Jones, the Seahawks have found a player whose versatility and skillset promise to be invaluable assets for seasons to come. As the team continues to refine its defensive strategies, Jones’s influence will undoubtedly be a cornerstone of their efforts.