Green Bay Packers waiting on Datone Jones

By Keegan Matheson | Mar 21, 2015

As the Green Bay Packers build towards the 2015 NFL Draft with their sights set on bolstering their defensive unit, it’s important to remain focused on the team’s in-house options that could break out. Defensive end is not a pressing need, but the ability of Datone Jones to take a jump into his third NFL season will be critical to the Green Bay Packers’ success.

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Jones joined the Packers in round one of the 2013 NFL Draft with the 26th overall pick out of UCLA. Although UCLA’s history of producing defensive linemen is thin at best, Jones projected as a strong and powerful defensive end with the ability to be a plus run defender and dominate with his hands to produce ample pass rush. Through his first two seasons in Green Bay, Jones has been more of a rotational player, often taking the field for just a third of the defensive snaps.

This isn’t to to suggest that Jones is any sort of “bust”, however, and in 2015 he’ll be given an opportunity to play on the majority of snaps and impact from the left defensive end spot. With holes existing currently at nose tackle and inside linebacker, Green Bay can ill afford another weakness in their front seven.

Standing at 6’4″ and 285 pounds, Jones was viewed as a bit of a ‘tweener out of college, where his versatility moved him between tackle and end. Still, Jones produced 5.5 sacks and 19.0 tackles for a loss in his final season at UCLA. His addition marked the beginning of Green Bay’s transition away from larger bodies such as Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly, instead seeking out longer and leaner athletes.

Jones is not an electric athlete from the edge, running a 4.80 40 yard dash at the 2013 Combine, but was among the best at his position with a 4.32 second time in the 20 yard shuttle. This put him ahead of Barkevious Mingo and Dion Jordan, two very athletic edge rushers. Jones’ quickness and ability to change direction should pair with his powerful lower body and brute upper body strength to produce an impact player, but will it?

Sep 4, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3, right) scrambles against Green Bay Packers defensive end Datone Jones (95) during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

In his 2013 rookie season, Jones turned 11 tackles into an encouraging 3.5 sacks, but regressed to just 1.5 sacks in 13 games for 2014. Expecting big sack totals from Jones will lead to disappointment, but the Packers would be thrilled to get 5-7 sacks from the 24 year old with quality play against the run. A solid “all-around” player rarely receives the spotlight, but in the mold of a Justin Smith from San Francisco, they can often be the unit’s most valuable.

Green Bay will also need to continue bolstering their secondary pass rush options. Kicking Clay Matthews back outside across from Julius Peppers will spark that effort immediately, but the group of Mike Daniels, Mike Neal, Nick Perry and Jones will need to collectively produce pressure. In all likelihood, Peppers is entering his final season in the league, so unless a quality rusher emerges from this group, Green Bay could need to address the position again next offseason.

Opportunity is about to present itself to Jones in a very big way, and physically speaking, there is little holding him back. Jones’ performance will have a trickle-down performance across the defensive line and linebacking corps, so if there’s a time for him to move from potential to production, it’s now.

Next: Green Bay Packers in need of running back depth

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