Tag: Dre’Mont Jones

2023 NFL Free Agency: The most underrated players of the upcoming class

With NFL free agency just around the corner, it’s time to look at the hidden gems of this class — the underrated players who will outperform their new contracts.

While big-name, big-dollar free-agency signings rule the headlines at the start of every league year, smart franchises understand that it’s the lesser-known contracts that frequently make the biggest difference when everybody hits the field months from now.

In 2022, the Seattle Seahawks let quarterback Geno Smith test the open market before re-signing him to a one-year, $3.5 million deal that worked out pretty well for everybody involved. Smith became the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year, Seattle’s post-Russell Wilson franchise quarterback, and he got a major new deal when all was said and done.

The Eagles would not have made it to Super Bowl LVII without two relatively unheralded signings — cornerback James Bradberry to a one-year, $7.25 million deal, and pass-rusher Haason Reddick to a three-year, $45 million pact. Both players were defensive cornerstones throughout Philly’s remarkable season.

As we turn to the 2023 free agency cycle that begins Monday with the legal tampering period, and becomes official when players can actually sign contracts on Wednesday at 4:01 p.m. EST, it’s time to look at those players who might not be the biggest names, but could make profound impacts on their new teams (or their previous teams in some instances) based on past performance.

Here’s our list of the hidden gems of the 2023 free agency class.

Insider: Browns are in on former Ohio State DT Dre’Mont Jones

The Browns are interested in bringing a former Buckeye back to Ohio

Free agency is set to begin on Monday when the legal tampering period begins. And as the Cleveland Browns look to address their putrid defensive tackle room, NFL insider Benjamin Allbright has stated they will be significant players for former Ohio State Buckeye Dre’Mont Jones. Spending his last four years with the Denver Broncos, the team opted not to use the franchise tag on Jones.

Allbright, however, believes the Broncos will still make a run at Jones, but that Cleveland and the Chicago Bears will provide steep competition for his services. With Daron Payne receiving the franchise tag, and Brandon Graham opting not to hit the open market, the Browns will have to get creative to address their abysmal defensive line.

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5 recognizable names linked to Browns in free agency by insider

Ahead of free agency, the Browns have been linked to a handful of recognizable names.

The annual frenzy of free agency is set to begin in less than a week, and ahead of that madness, the Cleveland Browns have been linked to some notable free agents. The big one that keeps coming up from people around various sites is defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, but one of his teammates this past season with the Philadelphia Eagles has also come up. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson is also on the Browns’ radar as they look to replace John Johnson III.

Who are the other notable names that Cleveland dot com’s Mary Kay Cabot linked to the Browns? Here are the five names she dropped that she has heard that have interested those in Berea.

Vikings Wire staff: 1 player the Vikings should sign in free agency

Our staff identified one player that they would like the Vikings to sign this offseason

The Minnesota Vikings entered this offseason with 25 free agents. They added a couple of them to futures contracts, lost OG Kyle Hinton to the Atlanta Falcons and re-signed both exclusive rights free agents Blake Brandel and Khyiris Tonga.

As it sits currently, the Vikings have a lot of decisions to make when it comes to free agency. They are nearly $24 million over the salary cap and will need to find ways to save money while also having capital to go and bring in talent.

Two weeks as a staff, we looked at the players that we wanted the Vikings to re-sign, including one from today’s list. Last week, we looked at players we wanted to let walk. Here are four players that we identified that we want the Vikings to sign this offseason.

Bears 2023 free agency preview: Did Armon Watts show enough to come back?

Armon Watts was a popular waiver claim last August. Did he do enough in his one year in Chicago to warrant coming back?

NFL free agency will be here before we know it, and the Chicago Bears have plenty of players set to hit the market. From key starters to valuable reserves, general manager Ryan Poles will have important decisions to make about who to bring back.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going through each individual player and breaking down their 2022 performance and whether or not they fit in the Bears’ long-term plans.

Next up is defensive tackle Armon Watts, a player the Bears claimed off waivers just prior to the start of the season. He had some nice moments, but was it enough to warrant a return?

Is the pricetag on free agent Dre’Mont Jones too steep to pay?

Will Jones want more than Cleveland is willing to give?

NFL free agency starts next week and the Cleveland Browns need to find some help for the defensive line. One possible target is former Ohio State (and likely former Denver Broncos) defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones. Jones makes sense for the team as a player that can play at a high level both inside and outside on the defensive line.

However, the reports out of Denver are that Jones asking price will be “close to 19.7 million dollar franchise tag number”. With the team needing to add multiple players this number might not make sense. If the team is to give a contract with that number they may target a bigger-name, and more productive player, like Javon Hargrave or DeForest Buckner.

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Bears 2023 free agency preview: Angelo Blackson is out the door

Angelo Blackson went from Week 1 starter to healthy scratch as the year wore on. His days as a Bear are likely over.

NFL free agency will be here before we know it, and the Chicago Bears have plenty of players set to hit the market. From key starters to valuable reserves, general manager Ryan Poles will have important decisions to make about who to bring back.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going through each individual player and breaking down their 2022 performance and whether or not they fit in the Bears’ long-term plans.

Our next player is Angelo Blackson, a defensive lineman who saw his snaps diminish as the season went on and is on his way out of Chicago.

Browns free agency: defensive line target Dre’Mont Jones will test free agency

Could the Browns bring the former Buckeye home?

It has been repeated time and time this offseason that the Cleveland Browns need significant help on the defensive line. One intriguing player is Denver Bronco and former Ohio State Buckeye defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones. Jones is sure to be intriguing for Andrew Berry who likes to find players that can play multiple positions as Jones plays both edge and slides inside as a defensive tackle as well.

Both positions need upgrades and getting a player that can help both areas is gravy reports are out that Jones will indeed test free agency. Jones is expected to get a decent-sized contract but with Jadeveon Clowney in the past, Berry has shown he is willing to spend big edge pass rushers.

Coming off the best season in his four-year career Jones had 45 total quarterback pressures to go with his 6.5 sacks. Jones has an impressive first step off the line of scrimmage and a good blend of speed and power giving him the tools to be an impact player. Pairing him with Myles Garrett and getting him one on one matchups would have a great result.

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Javon Hargrave and 4 other free agent DTs who can make a ton of money after Daron Payne’s tag

Here’s who might make so much money after Payne’s tag.

With the NFL’s franchise tag deadline roughly a week away, Tuesday saw the first domino fall.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Washington Commanders applied the franchise tag to 25-year-old DT Daron Payne. Based on the average top-five salary of interior DL players, Payne will now make roughly $18.9 million in 2023. After a season where the bright young player recorded 11.5 sacks, 20 QB hits, and 18 tackles-for-loss, Payne will spend at least another year in Washington.

Aside from continuing to wreak havoc with Jonathan Allen up front, Payne’s absence from the 2023 NFL free agent market leaves behind a massive gap. He was arguably the best DT available, but prospective teams now must look elsewhere.

This is, of course, great news for players who will likely hit the open market, as they’ll probably sign lucrative contracts. Let’s look at a few remaining names, including a cornerstone for the defending NFC champions.

1 free agent the Saints could target from each AFC West team

1 free agent New Orleans Saints could target from each AFC West team: Derek Carr is an obvious choice, but there are a couple of defensive linemen to watch

Free agency is always an exciting time in the NFL’s offseason calendar, but the New Orleans Saints have a lot of work to do internally before they’ll be ready to start chatting with other team’s players. Still, that isn’t stopping their pro personnel department from taking a look at which free agents could hit the market in March, and we’ll be taking stock of every team’s list to get an idea of who could be on the move.

We’ve already explored the NFC East, so we’ll take our focus to the opposite coast, and the opposing conference: the AFC West. Here are the Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders, and Chargers who could be targets for the Saints in just a few weeks: