Chris Jones
Jones is not only the top prize free agent interior defensive lineman but he is one of the top 10 overall defensive free agents. At age 25 he is among the youngest free agents but there are quite a few in this group. However, none of them are as talented or have the impact that Jones has had. Then when you consider that IDL is a highly coveted position by NFL teams, it takes his value to another level.
His first two seasons as professional didn’t produce eye-popping numbers, but he did make the 2016 All-Rookie Team. But in year three it clicked for him and he has been one of the top three IDL ever since. He played mostly as a defensive end his first three years in the league, before switching over to defensive tackle last season. Keep in mind his year three breakout season, he also played a lot of defensive tackle. This ability to be productive and versatile is what makes him so great. He can fit any scheme and wreak havoc.
In 2018, as DE/DT he had a breakout season with 40 tackles, 35 solos, 19 tackles for a loss, 15.5 sacks, 29 QB hits, and 49 QB pressures. Those are super numbers for a player his size (6’6″/310 lbs.). 2019 was a different story but don’t be fooled into thinking he regressed. First off, Jones played mostly on the inside at DT. So there was somewhat a bit of a drop to be expected. Also, don’t forget he was hurt for a stretch of the season. Despite that, he would record 36 tackles, 23 solos, eight tackles for a loss, nine sacks, 20 QB hits, and 27 QB pressures. A big difference between playing DE versus DT.
One thing that did catch my eye was that, from 2018 to 2019, he reduced his missed tackle rate from 11.1% to 5.3%. Not many players can reduce that number when transitioning from DE to DT. With his rookie contract now expired, the Chiefs have a big decision on their hands. Do they pay Jones like he should be or do they let him walk and test the market? We all saw what an impact he made in Super Bowl LIV. He was clutch as you can be on the game’s biggest stage. The Chiefs have a lot of cap decisions to make over the next few seasons, but they would be foolish to let him hit free agency. If he does, then he will be paid handsomely, without question. I believe the Chiefs get a deal done and keep him in Kansas City.
Here is yet another team that would be foolish to let such a talented player test free agency. The Seahawks haven’t had a fully loaded front four for some time. For one reason or another, they haven’t been able to get all their pieces on the same chessboard at the same time. Reed was suspended for six games after violating the league’s personal conduct policy last season, but before that, he’d only missed two of 48 possible games.
Keep in mind they have to make a decision on edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney as well, but outside these two they don’t have a lot of proven talent at these key spots. Reed has gotten better each season and had his breakout season in 2018, when he recorded 50 tackles, twelve for a loss, 10.5 sacks and 24 QB hits. That shows you the kind of impact he can have from the interior and that’s what teams will be paying for if he hits free agency.
What teams will question is if they will get the 2018 Reed or last year’s version where he just never really got back on track after returning from his suspension? He had career-low numbers in almost every category. Even if teams believe last year was a one-time thing, they will use it to their advantage in contract talks. With that said, I think Reed would be best suited to stay in Seattle, where both he and team know what they are getting and expect. I believe the Seahawks will also possibly offer him the most money or at least be among his best offers.
“Foolish” is the common thread across all these players. The Steelers too would be foolish to let such a talented player, such as Hargrave hit free agency. It’s not often that you find a player that truly fits your scheme and team. One thing that may hurt him is that while he is a backup and filled in nicely, starter Stephon Tuitt is only 26 years old, and is a beast himself. With Tuitt back, Hargrave would kick inside to nose tackle and be part of a rotation. Hargrave has shown what an impact he can make as a starter and there will be a number of teams that will be willing to pay him to be that.
If you look at last season, the splits for Hargrave before and after Tuitt went down, tell us a lot. Tuitt went down in Week 6, so we’ll start there. In those first six games, Hargrave played around 45% of the snaps, while producing just fourteen tackles and two tackles for a loss. In the ten games after Tuitt went down, Hargrave played roughly 73% of the snaps and produced 46 tackles and five tackles for a loss. So you can see a significant increase in his productivity when given the snaps.
With his rookie contract now officially up, the Steelers who are tight on cap space as is, may have to let Hargrave test free agency and risk losing him. What he will give teams interested in his services, is a run-stopper who can provide a pass rush from the interior. In the last two seasons in Pittsburgh, he played primarily at nose tackle and produced 10.5 sacks. I think the Steelers would really love to keep him, but the money and possibility to start elsewhere might be too hard to resist for Hargrave. With that said, he is a much cheaper option than the two players mentioned above. I think he signs with a new team and becomes one of the league’s best interior defensive lineman.
Thanks for reading my article and if enjoyed it, you can read more of my articles at dynastyfootballfactory.com. You can also follow me on social media, on Twitter at Hollywood@DFF_DWin, on Facebook on my IDPNation page, on Reddit in the fantasy football IDP sub I’m user KingTitan1 and you can tune in each week and listen to the podcasts, IDP Nation & D.I.G. Devy IDP Grind, that I co-host, on a number of different platforms. Feel free to hit me up with any questions that you have, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy
