Before the Seattle Seahawks can use the fifth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, they’re wisely using free agency to address other needs. The latest comes with the signing of defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones, who spent the last four seasons with the Denver Broncos.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Broncos are shelling out a three-year, $51.53 million contract to the 26-year-old defensive lineman. While it’s a passive payday, it’s not quite the biggest payout to defensive tackles today, as the San Francisco 49ers handed Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave a four-year, $84 million contract early on Day One.
Still, Jones is getting a massive payout, including $23.5 million in the first year of the contract and up to $35 million in the first two years of the deal.
- Dre’Mont Jones stats last season: 47 TKL (9 TFL), 6.5 sacks, 1 FF
Jones has a total of 22 sacks in his career, yet he’s never really earned very high marks from Pro Football Focus. Take that for what it’s worth, as not everyone sees eye to eye with their analysis, but clearly, the Seahawks saw the 6-foot-3, 280-pound defensive lineman’s impact on film.
Still it’s a fascinating addition for the Seahawks, who may have been staring at stud Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter at No. 5 overall, yet now they can redirect their attention elsewhere, perhaps along the edge, for a player like Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr., if he’s available.