Video: Expect to see more Dre’Mont Jones as an edge rusher in 2024

It looks like a position switch is on the horizon for Dre’Mont Jones.

Initially signed as a major addition to the Seattle Seahawks’ interior defensive line, Jones’ future on the roster may be tied to what he can do as an edge rusher. As shown in this Instagram reel by Jones’ trainer, Jackson Hayes, Dre’Mont is getting in some offseason EDGE/OLB reps.

“[Dre’Mont Jones] is going to be playing some outside linebacker this year,” Hayes wrote in a separate Instagram post. “We worked on curved runs simulating rushing off the edge, and a combination of footwork and pass drops getting him used to coverage drops, settling in to the zone and playing in space. Excited to see how he progresses in this position transition!”

Jones, who signed a three-year deal worth up to $51 million in the 2023 offseason, started the first half of his first season in Seattle as an interior lineman. As expected, he was predominantly lined up as a B-gap defender (between tackle and guard). After the Uchenna Nwosu injury and Leonard Williams trade, Jones saw his snap alignment predominantly to the edge. For whatever PFF grades are worth, his performances were better after the switch. Last season was the most that Jones has ever played on the outside in his NFL career, and even then he was predominantly in a 3-point stance and not tasked with dropping into coverage.

One of the other obvious changes for Jones will be trimming down his previous listed playing weight of 280 lbs. If he’s going to be EDGE/OLB more frequently, he’ll need to be no more than 265-270 lbs, which I’m assuming is the plan.

It was an uneven first year for Jones, but with a new coaching staff and seemingly a new role on the defense, perhaps there is a way to make good on one of the rare splash signings the Seahawks have made in their recent free agent history.