Al Davis always did like his restoration projects. So too does Jon Gruden. The latest is former first-round pick Datone Jones, according to ESPN’s Tom Pelissero.
The #Raiders are signing veteran DL and former first-round pick Datone Jones, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 12, 2020
Jones was the 26th overall selection in the 2013 draft by the Green Bay Packers. He spent four season in Green Bay, starting just 7 games and putting up nine sacks in 59 appearances.
From there he moved on to San Francisco, but appeared in just three games before being cut. Then the Cowboys signed him, where Rod Marinelli was the team’s defensive coordinator.
After appearing in the final four games of the 2017 season with the Cowboys, he returned to start the 2018 season, but was lost to injury in the opener and placed on injured reserve.
Last year, he was in camp with the Jaguars, but didn’t make the team and was out of football for the 2019 season.
Apparently the 6-4, 285-pounder made an impression on Marinelli, now the defensive line coach with the Raiders. The first day NFL teams were allowed to have players in for tryouts, Jones was brought in and signed.
Jones would fit in mostly as a 3-tech defensive tackle in the Raiders’ 4-3 scheme who can play end in 3-4 alignments.
[vertical-gallery id=72038]
[lawrence-newsletter]