NFC team did the Bengals a huge favor by adding another pass-rushing defensive tackle to the free agent market
The NFL free agent pool always grows before it shrinks in the days leading up to the new league year. The Cincinnati Bengals added to it by releasing Sheldon Rankins and Alex Cappa in the last two weeks, as did the Seattle Seahawks by letting go of four veteran players as well Tuesday afternoon. Defensive […]
The NFL free agent pool always grows before it shrinks in the days leading up to the new league year. The Cincinnati Bengals added to it by releasing Sheldon Rankins and Alex Cappa in the last two weeks, as did the Seattle Seahawks by letting go of four veteran players as well Tuesday afternoon.
Defensive linemen Dre'Mont Jones was one of those four, and his name should've caught the attention of Paycor Stadium.
Jones, a former Ohio State Buckeye and Ohio native, was a hot commodity when he entered the free agent pool for the first time back in 2023. He signed a three-year deal worth over $17 million per year with the Seahawks that offseason following a promising start to his career with the Denver Broncos.
All of that never quite translated in Seattle. The Seahawks used the versatile pass-rusher more often on the edge than he previously experienced in Denver, and his volume production dipped accordingly compared to the years when he was mainly rushing between the tackles.
Jones was released by Seattle so the club can become compliant to the salary cap for next week. He'll now be hitting the free agent market for the second time and just recently turned 28 back in January.
Bengals should target Jones as he heads to free agency
Defensive tackle and defensive end are huge needs for the Bengals this offseason, and at least one, or both, will account for a notable expense in free agency. The issue is there aren't a ton of high-quality names hitting the market next week. Osa Odighizuwa was arguably the top impending free agent along the defensive line and he's going back to the Dallas Cowboys.
Jones now becomes an intriguing variable thrown into the mix. His pedigree should make him one of the most attractive options at the DT position, and he's still in the prime of his career. His pass rush win rate took a jump back to 12.9% in 2024 after falling to 11.6% in 2023. His average from his four years in Denver was 12.7%, according to Pro Football Focus. For reference, the Bengals only had two d-linemen with win rates over 10% last year in Trey Hendrickson (20%) and Myles Murphy (10.2%).
There's also the aspect of him being released in the first place. Any team that signs Jones this year as a street free agent won't have to worry about the acquisition counting against them in the compensatory pick formula, and they can start negotiations on a new contract with a clean slate without having to worry about his previous deal.
Cincinnati needs pass rushers, and Jones now needs a new place of work. The fit makes all the sense in the world, especially if the front office whiffs on the original top free agent options at his position.
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