Broncos: Analysts thinks Dre'Mont Jones will sign with Carolina Panthers
The Denver Broncos could very well lose one of their key players in free agency as Pro Football Focus predicts him to an NFC foe
The Denver Broncos are going to have to make some tough decisions in the 2023 offseason, both with free agency and the draft. This team could very well lose some players that have been key to their defense for quite some time now.
With just $18 million in cap space, as things currently stand, the Broncos may not be able to offer Dre'Mont Jones the offer he deserves.
According to Spotrac.com, the four-year starter has a projected annual market value of $17.1 million. In order to make that work, the Broncos may need to cut some players or restructure some contracts.
In fact, Pro Football Focus thinks the Broncos will lose Jones in free agency to the Carolina Panthers, a team they once beat in the Super Bowl.
Jones reunites with former Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero in Carolina and lines up next to 2022 breakout nose tackle Derrick Brown in place of free agent Matt Ioannidis, fortifying a defensive line that also boasts edge defender Brian Burns.
The Panthers' defensive front will be very multiple, but head coach Frank Reich told reporters in a recent press conference their base alignment will be a 3-4. Jones was a high-caliber pass rusher as a 3-4 defensive end during his tenure in Denver, with his 45 quarterback pressures and 25 defensive stops this past season under Evero both career highs.
I can't lie, if Jones were to go to the Panthers, their defense would be pretty scary, especially with Evero there. The Broncos would be losing one of the better all-around defensive tackles in the league.
The defense was the best part of last season's team, and losing Jones would certainly set that unit back a bit. However, it would save the Broncos money. Carolina would be an interesting place for him to land, and PFF seems to think it will happen.
You can read the rest of the PFF article here.
Featured Image Via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
