In 2024, the Detroit Lions will be looking to win the Super Bowl, which will spur them to act decisively in NFL free agency. The Lions have $54.2 million in salary space, which means they may potentially sign a big name. This information comes from Spotrac. Because of these factors, defensive tackle Chris Jones was projected by ESPN’s Aaron Schatz to be the Lions’ top target.
Schatz identified Jones as the key free agent the Lions need to sign this offseason on March 1.
“Jones had the highest double-team rate at 72% and ranked second among all defensive tackles in pass rush win rate (19.6%) last season,” Schatz said. “He would be a huge addition to the Lions’ defense and could be the difference-maker that finally gets them to the Super Bowl if he makes it to free agency.”
Jones just finished his first two consecutive seasons with ten or more sacks. With 15.5 sacks and 29 quarterback hits in 2022, he tied his career highs. Then, in 2023, he once more recorded 10.5 sacks and 29 quarterback hits.
The last two seasons, he was selected to the first team All-Pro. Jones has also played in five straight Pro Bowls.
Over the course of his NFL career, Jones has earned approximately $90.2 million in total, according to Spotrac. This summer, Spotrac estimated his worth to be approximately $85.4 million on a three-year contract.
Jones is a player who most teams in the league would love to have.
Although Jones will turn 30 in July, he has gotten better with age. In 91 games since 2018, he has accumulated 67 sacks, 68 tackles for loss, and 152 quarterback hits. During that time, he also had 26 pass defenses and 8 forced fumbles.
Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill are already members of the Lions’ defensive line. Particularly Hutchinson, who achieved double-digit sacks for the first time in 2023, is one of these rising talents.
However, the only Lions defenders with more than three sacks in the previous campaign were Hutchinson and McNeill. Detroit is in need of a second pass rusher.
The Lions defense may reach a championship level, where the Detroit offense has been the last two seasons, with the addition of an outstanding defensive tackle like Jones.
In terms of sacks last season, the Lions tied for 23rd place in the NFL. Additionally, they were 29th in net yards allowed per pass attempt and 27th in pass defense.
The Kansas City Chiefs could re-sign Jones prior to the start of free agency. The Chiefs could also place the franchise tag on Jones; however, Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz reported on February 28 that the Chiefs used the tag on cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. Each NFL team is only allowed to use the franchise tag on one player per offseason. The Lions will have to wait and see if Jones will be available before having the opportunity to sign him.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on February 28 that Sneed has been granted permission by the Chiefs to pursue a trade.
Ironically, the Lions have been considered as a potential trade destination for Sneed. However, given the huge salaries each player is expected to want this offseason, it becomes less probable that Kansas City would keep Jones if Sneed is not traded.
Sneed’s cap hit if he plays in 2024 while wearing the franchise tag will be $19.8 million.
