Tag: DaQuan Jones

Do the Bills still have a need at defensive tackle?

Do the #Bills still have a need at defensive tackle?

The Buffalo Bills added to their defensive front more than anywhere this offseason. While the marquee addition was signing Von Miller to work the edge, the middle of the line got some attention as well.

But CBS Sports made the case it wasn’t enough.

The outlet named a position of “need” for every team in the NFL as the offseason rolls on. For the Bills, it was the defensive tackle spot.

First, here’s the breakdown:

Buffalo’s roster is rather solid across the board. The argument is more about depth in a variety of places rather than the starting lineup itself. Defensive tackle is one position that appears to be lacking depth for the Bills. Ed Oliver was good last season and DaQuan Jones was respectable in his role, but the team has little behind the front line.

It’s a big call to use defensive tackle as Buffalo’s biggest remaining “need” position. There are few that would look at the unit as the team’s strength, but it’s certainly not the weakest point.

Jones plays a role that isn’t flashy, he stops the run and has done that well. Pro Football Focus graded him a 66.4 overall mark last season, which is a solid , average number according to the outlet’s metrics. Not a weak link by any means.

But Jones, who was signed this offseason, was not the lone addition to the middle of the D-line in Buffalo. Tim Settle has similarly played well in recent years but hasn’t gotten a chance to compete for top snaps, something he will get with the Bills.

Not to mention, Jordan Phillips, who led Buffalo with 9.5 sacks in 2019 playing in this same defensive scheme, was brought back. There’s plenty of reason to “wait and see” with the defensive tackle spot, but another position might’ve been a better pick for “need.”

Other selections could have included cornerback or running back.

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DaQuan Jones: Winning culture with Bills has changed narrative

DaQuan Jones: Winning culture with #Bills has changed narrative:

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DaQuan Jones was one of several new additions to the Buffalo Bills’ defensive line this offseason. He signed to be a run stuffer in the middle.

It’s not the sexiest position, but it’s important and taking his talents to a promising team in Buffalo was an easy decision Jones said.

Appearing on The Jim Rome Show, Jones noted the winning culture with the team can no longer be ignored.

“I don’t think you can talk about the Bills and not think about winning,” Jones said.

Check out the clip below:

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Full list of Bills players not participating in OTAs

Full list of #Bills players not participating in OTAs:

The Buffalo Bills hit the field again for another slate of organized team activates (OTAs). While observers of the team will appreciate full attendance, that’s usually not the case.

Some players decide not to show up… and it’s important to note that doing so is OK. All such workouts prior to mandatory minicamp are voluntary. No penalty for missing them.

The reasonings for being elsewhere usually vary. Sometimes it’s health or contract related, others players are excused to do whatever else they desire.

But for those curious, here’s a rundown of players that were not attending OTA practice on Tuesday, according to The Athletic:

DaQuan Jones’ first NFL game as fan was distinctive Bills contest

DaQuan Jones’ first NFL game as fan was a very distinctive #Bills that many will remember:

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The Buffalo Bills signed defensive lineman DaQuan Jones early in free agency.

He’s not exactly a western New York native, but not far of.

From the Binghamton area, Jones is well aware of Buffalo and the team’s history. In fact, he saw one very distinctive Bills game live, in person, as a fan.

On Sept. 9, 2007, Jones attended the Bills’ home opener against the Denver Broncos.

That game was later known as the one where Kevin Everett suffered a scary neck injury on the halftime kickoff attempting to make a tackle.

Thankfully as time passed, it became a game known for the great outcome. Everett’s career was over, but he was able to walk again.

That was the first time Jones took in NFL action, he told the team’s website.

“I wasn’t really into football like that believe it or not growing up,” Jones said. “But my high school coaches were die-hard Bills fans. They took me to a Bills vs. Denver game when I was in seventh grade. It was quite an experience and something that’s coming full circle, being in Year 9 and being able to play in Buffalo and that being the first game I’d ever been to.”

“Been here a couple of times,” Jones added. “To me, it gives me a very home feeling. It feels very much like home. I can’t wait to get down there again to really explore it better.”

Jones, 30, was a fourth-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2014. He played there until 2020, signing with the Carolina Panthers for one year in 2021.

Last season in Carolina, Jones graded out as a solid mark with Pro Football Focus, a 66.4 overall.

Jones notched one sack and one tackle for loss last season.

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Contract details for Buffalo Bills DT DaQuan Jones

Contract details for #Bills DT DaQuan Jones:

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The Buffalo Bills addressed their run-defending spot in the middle of their defensive line with DaQuan Jones.

The 30-year-old defensive tackle signed a three-year deal with the team. However, like a few other recent signees, there’s a couple important layers to note in his contract.

While the deal was for three years, it’s really only for two. The final one in 2024 includes a void year which helps spread out the salary cap hits.

And in a way, this contract is for two years, almost fully guaranteed because of the salary cap. We’ll get there.

According to Spotrac, Jones’ deal carries a low base salary in 2022, $1.75 million, fully guaranteed. However, $5.5M will go to him via signing bonus as well.

Then in the second year, Jones’ base salary jumps to $6.75M. Of that, $3.375M is guaranteed, bringing the total guaranteed figure to $10.625M.

Combined over the two seasons, Jones essentially has a two-year, $14M contract locked in.

Where the true “guaranteed” part comes into play because of the salary cap savings… or lack thereof. Over the course of the two seasons he’s signed to be in Buffalo, the team won’t really save any dollars on the cap by letting him go.

Here’s how the year-by-year salary cap figures look for Jones’ contract. The potential savings for the Bills would come from taking the difference between the cap hit and dead cap hit, which is essentially non-existent on his deal:

  • 2022: $3.58M ($10.6M dead cap)
  • 2023: $8.56M ($7.041 M dead cap)
  • 2024 void year cap hit: $1.8M

The Bills do have the option to release Jones at any time, it just wouldn’t make much sense.

By comparison, now former Bills defensive lineman Harrison Phillips, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings. His deal is three years and worth $19.5M.

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PFF free agency grade: Bills DL DaQuan Jones

PFF free agency grade: #Bills DL DaQuan Jones:

Another former Carolina Panther has migrated North to join the Buffalo Bills.

In what proved to be a salary cap-based decision the team allowed DT Harrison Phillips to leave and sign a 3-year $19.5 million deal with Minnesota.

To help add talent to the position, Buffalo signed DaQuan Jones. With the move, they add serviceably to the position group on a shorter deal and a smaller price tag.

Here is how Pro Football Focus has graded Buffalo’s deal with Jones:

DI DaQuan Jones: Two years, $14 million ($10.6 million guaranteed)

The interior defensive line market has been strong out of the gate in free agency, and the 30-year-old Jones continues that trend. He’s earned pass rush grades of 65.0 or better in three straight seasons, with at least 20 quarterback pressures.

Jones is a big presence on the interior, with at least 15 defensive stops in every season since 2015. He earns a nice pay raise over his one year flier in 2021 with the Carolina Panthers.

Grade: Average

Jones figures to add a big run-stopping presence slotting in alongside Ed Oliver, helping to fill the void left by Phillips while addressing an area the Bills defense has been actively looking to improve in.

What’s more, he also has the ability to contribute to Buffalo’s pass rush.

In 2021 he had 23 QB pressures and a career-high 69.4 pass-rush grade per PFF.

If the team gets this productivity at a more salary cap-friendly price point on a short-term in a player who adds run-stopping and pass-rushing and stays healthy in Jones, then the signing appears to have a good potential upside for Buffalo.

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9 things to know about new Bills DT DaQuan Jones

9 things to know about new Bills DT DaQuan Jones

The Buffalo Bills lost the services of defensive tackle Harrison Phillips early in the free agency window.

The team said it would come down to dollars and cents, and evidently the Minnesota Vikings had more of those to offer him.

The Bills went to sign two tackles to take up Phillips’ spot in the middle. Of the two (Tim Settle), DaQuan Jones is the one that might profile more as the Phillips replacement. Because of that, you’ll want to get to know the man behind the mask a bit more.

Here are nine things to know about the Bills’ new defensive tackle:

Bills expected to sign Panthers DT DaQuan Jones

#Bills expected to sign #Panthers DT DaQuan Jones:

The Buffalo Bills are making a second addition to the middle of their defensive line.

According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, Buffalo is expected to sign former Carolina Panthers defensive tackle DaQuan Jones.

The deal comes after the Bills reportedly agreed to terms with former Washington Commanders defensive tackle Tim Settle.

Jones, 30, was a fourth-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2014. He played there until 2020, signing with the Panthers for one year in 2021.

Last season in Carolina, Jones graded out as a solid mark with Pro Football Focus, a 66.4 overall.

Jones notched one sack and one tackle for loss last season.

Jones’ signing also comes after the Bills are reportedly set to lose defensive tackle Harrison Phillips. He reportedly came to terms on a deal with the Minnesota Vikings.

With the Bills, Jones has a good chance to see playing time at the one-tech tackle spot next to Ed Oliver. Phillips previously started there along with current Bill Star Lotulelei.

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Panthers’ Brian Burns, Stephon Gilmore arrive at 2022 Pro Bowl

Panthers representatives Brian Burns and Stephon Gilmore hit Vegas on Thursday to kick off this weekend’s 2022 Pro Bowl festivities.

There’s not much to be celebrated about the Carolina Panthers’ 2021 campaign. After all, what’s really left when the team goes 5-12 with seven straight losses to close out the season?

Well, what was left were two noteworthy distinctions—Pro Bowl nods for defensive end Brian Burns and cornerback Stephon Gilmore. For Burns, it was his first. And for Gilmore, it’s only his fourth straight and fifth overall.

But, regardless of how many times they’ve done it, it’s always worth taking the experience in. Here’s how Burns and Gilmore hit the Las Vegas scene to kick off the weekend’s all-star festivities.

Panthers players react to Tom Brady’s reported retirement

Tom Brady is retiring . . . or is he? Either way, a few Panthers reacted to the unofficial news that has the game’s greatest player calling it a career.

The Carolina Panthers may or may not have to see Tom Brady again. And that’s because Tom Brady may or may not be heading towards retirement.

Either way, a few players hopped on social media to react to the news that might spell the end of perhaps the greatest career in NFL history.