Chris Jones was one of the best defensive linemen in 2018. This offseason, he is looking for a huge payday. Does Jones’ 2018 season warrant a big paycheck?
Scouting Report:
Jones, a 6-foot-6, 311-pound defensive tackle for the Chiefs, is a physical specimen to behold. Jones’s has an electric first step, has a very slim frame, and his strength is impressive. He is one of the best athletes at his position, rivaling Aaron Donald and Geno Atkins for being the most physically impressive at their position.
Jones has drastically improved as a player over the past three years. His hand usage has improved plenty, and he has many pass rush moves. He can win with speed, power, hands, and secondary moves. Jones has many change up moves to use, which makes him unpredictable to block. Jones was wildly productive last season, posting 15 sacks, including one in ten games straight.
The Numbers:
If you haven’t seen my system for grading interior defensive lineman, please take a look at my Derrick Nnadi or Xavier Williams piece to see how I do it. Basically, it is the same as grading edge rushers, but the one difference is I don’t chart if they drop in coverage.
| Chris Jones Run Snaps | ||||||||
| Game | Snaps Charted | Run D WIn | Run D Loss | Run D Neutral | Double Team | Stuff Run | Run Win % | Run Loss % |
| 49ers | 20 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 20.0% | 5.0% |
| Jaguars | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 12.5% | 25.0% |
| Rams | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 50.0% | 0.0% |
| Raiders | 15 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 33.3% | 13.3% |
| Chargers | 15 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 20.0% | 33.3% |
| TOTALS | 66 | 17 | 10 | 39 | 13 | 7 | 25.8% | 15.2% |
Going into this review, I knew how good Jones was against the pass. Just watching from a TV view would prove that point. What I was really interested in were his run numbers. And I have to say, I was more impressed that I expected to be.
His win rate is high, at 25 percent. I didn’t expect that number to be as high. Still, his loss percentage was less than adequate. Jones had too many snaps of losing his gap contain, which allowed a big run to happen. Also, while his smaller frame does help his knees, it can hurt against the run. There were a few snaps of Jones losing a strength battle with a guard, which could be due to his slimmer frame.
The main thing Jones needs to improve on his protecting his gap better. Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton allowed him to freelance more like a run defender, allowing him to try and shoot gaps, and not have gap control. Jones did this well at times, but there were too many snaps of Jones losing contain, the running back running through his gap, and a big play emerging. Jones needs to learn to contain his gap better, and then he will become an even better run defender.
| Chris Jones Pass Rush Snaps | ||||||||||
| Games | Snaps Charted | Pass Rush Win | Pass Rush Loss | Pass Rush Neutral | Double Team | Pass Deflection | Pressures | Pass Rush Win % | Pass Rush Loss % | Pressure Rate |
| 49ers | 31 | 5 | 2 | 24 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 16.1% | 6.5% | 3.2% |
| Jaguars | 21 | 5 | 3 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 23.8% | 14.3% | 9.5% |
| Rams | 42 | 11 | 5 | 26 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 26.2% | 11.9% | 14.3% |
| Raiders | 29 | 5 | 2 | 22 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 17.2% | 6.9% | 6.9% |
| Chargers | 35 | 13 | 3 | 19 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 37.1% | 8.6% | 22.9% |
| TOTALS | 158 | 39 | 15 | 104 | 52 | 1 | 19 | 24.7% | 9.5% | 12.0% |
I have nothing negative to say about Jones’s pass rush skills. He is amazing at pass rushing. Clearly, he has spent a lot of time developing his skills very well over time. Jones uses every move in the book to win. He can win with speed, power, bend, hand moves, and secondary moves.
The amazing thing about Jones is that offensive lineman have no idea how to block him. He has a different rush almost every rush, which makes it hard to scout him well. His 25 percent win rate is high for an interior lineman, and he stayed pretty consistent over time. His 9 percent loss rate is low as well, which means offensive lineman can’t block him. Jones isn’t Aaron Donald as a pass rusher, but he is close as a player.
The Film:
Hand usage and strength are ridiculous for a guy that quick. Just swipes the guard off of him, and gets to Rivers in a flash. I hope that guard doesn't get better, because Jones literally was unblockable this game. #Chiefskingdom pic.twitter.com/nR9rJEcRVp
— Nate Christensen (@natech32) May 28, 2019
This is where Jones has improved the most. In his first couple of seasons in the league, Jones only had a bull rush to gain pressure. This time, Jones does use power, but has an effective swipe move to get guard off of him, and collects pressure. He now had multiple moves to gain pressure and is quick enough to try multiple things every snap.
Speaking of bending, Jones just bullies the RG, then when the guard tries to put his hands on him, Jones just dips his shoulder under the hands of the guard, and gets the 1/2 sack. Jones has had the most dominant game I have ever charted so far. The Chargers can't do anything pic.twitter.com/bIMZaidDHO
— Nate Christensen (@natech32) May 28, 2019
What separates Jones as an elite player is his speed and athleticism. Here, he starts with a bull rush, gains effective power to get guard on heels, then dips his shoulder below pad level, and blows up the play. He isn’t just a power player, like most 3 techniques, but he wins with consistent speed as well, which makes him impossible to block.
If Jones has a weakness, it is run defense. He isn't a bad run defender, but he definitely needs to improve. Here, he does get in the backfield, but gets blocked from the side and gives up his gap. Doesn't contain his gap, and it turns into a 15 yard play. pic.twitter.com/RiNmFXyw89
— Nate Christensen (@natech32) May 27, 2019
Here is a good example of Jones losing gap contain way too much. He tries to shoot gaps too quickly, but loses power too easily, and leaves a gap wide too open. Jones needs to recognize that he doesn’t have a linebacker behind him to protect his gap, and the box safety, Eric Berry, is 8-10 yards off the line of scrimmage. Jones needed to protect his gap, or a big play would emerge, which did.
When Jones contains gaps though, he makes plays. Jones keeps his balance here, and collects the TFL. He isn't bad against the run, but Jones has to get better at gap containment. If he doesn't, it will be hard for him to get better. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/fpxZFwJPpa
— Nate Christensen (@natech32) May 29, 2019
It isn’t as if Jones can’t contain his gap well. Here, he gets doubled teamed, but maintains his balance, and collects the TFL. He sheds blocks well, which allows him to contain his gap. You can still shoot gaps once in a while, but you must be able to contain your gap as well to be an effective run defender. Look for the new Chiefs defensive staff to work with Jones and force him to be more disciplined.
Jones can shoot gaps though, and definitely got better at it as time went on. Destroys the guard instantly by swiping and ripping through the block. Jones is way too quick for the tackle to send another block. TFL. Jones can shoot gaps, just has to time it right pic.twitter.com/NYdwoNZpgR
— Nate Christensen (@natech32) May 29, 2019
When Jones times his jump well, he can shoot gaps quickly. He does a great job of shedding blocks, which allows him to take better angles to the ball. As the year went on, Jones realized he could use his hands to shed blockers better, which made him drastically better against the run.
I had been waiting forever for a good bull rush to show Jones off. Here is a great example for sure. Swipes his hands through the LG, the LG helps off of Houston, then Jones just destroys the center. Center gets in lap of QB, and QB can't get anywhere. I like this #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/knxY6ULlVB
— Nate Christensen (@natech32) May 29, 2019
Even though Jones is a lean dude, his power and strength are ridiculous. He gains power by having an amazing first step and getting his hands on the chest of the guard. The guard can’t get his hands on Jones well, and Jones gets low and plays with good leverage to get power.
Even though Jones wins with speed more, his bull rush is ridiculous. It doesn’t matter if he is double teamed, he can provide pocket push on the quarterback no matter what. Jones has an impact every snap, regardless of whoever is blocking him.
Conclusion: Is Jones worth the money?
There have been arguments over the past few days that suggest Jones isn’t worth the money, and we shouldn’t pay him. I’m here to tell you that those arguments are completely false, and Jones is worth the money.
Jones has been a model citizen since coming to Kansas City. He does a great job in the community and has been everything and more that he was expected to be. Also, he has improved drastically every year since coming into the league. He went from two sacks in his first season, to 6.5 in his second season, to 15 last year. Jones just has improved his overall game each year.
Now, he still has a lot of room to grow as a run defender. If he learns gap contain, he will be much better. Plus, his new defensive line coach Brendan Daly should only motivate Jones more and bring out the best in him. There is no reason to think Jones won’t get better next year. He is worth every penny, and it looks like Brett Veach may pay Jones what he wants.
