Dre’Mont Jones
Age: 22
2019 salary cap hit: $761,600
Years under contract: 4
After two relatively pedestrian years of production at Ohio State from 2016-17 (9 TFL, 1 sack) Jones burst onto the scene in 2018 as one of the best interior pass rushers in the country.
He racked up 13 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks as well as an interception for a touchdown and three fumble recoveries (four total takeaways) with Nick Bosa not in the lineup much of the season.
Jones plays faster than he tested this offseason, but his athletic testing could be a reason he fell to the 71st pick after such a stellar senior campaign.
Jones could end up being a critical piece of the Broncos’ defensive line sooner rather than later. Will he be Shelby Harris’ primary backup? Will they try to get four DL on the field more often than not?
He has big potential as a rookie to rush from the inside and make an impact.