NFL Free Agency: What grade did the Titans receive for Dre'Mont Jones signing?

[ASFN Admin]

After re-signing Sebastian Joseph-Day, the Tennessee Titans moved to add some depth to their defensive line with the signing of Dre’Mont Jones to a one-year $10 million deal.

Jones was released by the Seattle Seahawks in early March before entering the final year of his three-year, $51.5 million deal. His addition will add some experience to the front seven of the defense and allow for them to focus on the edge.

While Jones is a solid addition, his signing has been met with mixed reviews by different outlets. In fact, ESPN’s Seth Walder sees it as a middle of the road acquisition in his review of free agent signings.

Titans sign DL Dre'Mont Jones​

The deal: One year, $10 million

Grade: C

As I've been grading these deals, I've looked back at past contracts as comps. As I was thinking about the expensive defensive tackle market this year, I've thought about the 2023 offseason, when two free agents that I liked quite a lot -- Jones and Zach Allen -- changed teams.

If we adjust for inflation, Allen signed with Denver for almost $19 million per year in 2025 money and Jones with Seattle for more than $21 million in 2025 money. One of those deals worked out. Jones very much did not.

After breaking out with a 16% pass rush win rate at defensive tackle in 2022, Jones' pass-rushing efficiency dropped mightily to 8% in 2023. Seattle then mostly had Jones on the edge this past season. That didn't work, either, as he registered an 11% pass rush win rate from the edge, which is well below average. His run stop win rates have mostly been just below average at both spots over the past few seasons.

I'm all for one-year deals because they limit risk, but this one doesn't do it for me. When looking at Jones' career, that 2022 season seems like a blip. It's not the worst risk because he's only 28 and because the Titans have a lot of money to spend and it has to go somewhere. And interior players (if that's where Tennessee chooses to play him) have been commanding big money this offseason.

But if I were Tennessee, I would rather have spent more money on a bigger-ticket edge rush or defensive tackle (especially edge, considering deals for that position have been affordable) than sign Jones to this contract.

Even with Jones's signing, the Titans remain extremely thin at the edge. They did get a solid player who should fit into their system, but they still need to add more talent on that side of the ball.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: NFL Free Agency: ESPN grades Tennessee Titans' signing Dre'Mont Jones

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