CBS Sports predicts Dre'Mont Jones as 2022 breakout player

Former Ohio State Buckeyes star Dre’Mont Jones is coming up on the most important season so far of his NFL career in 2022. The Denver Broncos’ third-round draft pick from 2019 is almost at the end of his rookie contract, so it’s the right time for a breakout campaign. Jones is one of five upcoming free agents most likely to break out this season, according to CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso.

“Jones was a pass-rushing expert at Ohio State, a sleek inside rusher with slippery hands, loose hips and impeccable burst to the quarterback,” Trapasso writes. “He’s slowly become that type of player in the NFL with the Broncos. He’s gotten more pass-rush opportunities and generated more pressures in each of his three pro seasons to date, starting with a 23-pressure campaign on 213 pass-rush snaps as a rookie in 2019. 

“Now in Year 4, Jones will be tasked with operating as Denver’s marquee interior pass-rushing threat, and having Bradley Chubb fully healthy — along with explosive second-round pick Nik Bonitto —  on the outside will help attract attention away from Jones. Plus, with Russell Wilson in the shotgun this season, the Broncos defense should find itself in more favorable, obvious pass-rush situations.”

Jones chasing double-digit sacks in 2022

Over the last three years in Denver, the 25-year-old Jones has made 34 starts. He has 15.5 career sacks after notching 5.5 more in 2021, but the former Buckeyes defender believes he has a lot more to show.

“I can do way better,” Jones told the media last month. “I think I left a lot of money out there, myself. From missing sacks to slipping sometimes, I just have to be better. I’ve been working my tail off all offseason to get my body right.”

After completing a standout career at Ohio State, Jones signed a four-year rookie deal worth $4.158 million. While many of his peers are starting to sign the biggest contract of their careers, he’s staying focused on producing on the field.

“You can’t really think about contract stuff, for real,” Jones said. “You never know when it’s going to happen, you never know when you’re going to get ‘it.’ Like if you always anticipate the big contract, you might not get what you want.”