Denver Broncos: 3 breakout player predictions in 2020
2. Dre’Mont Jones, DL
The mainstream media is predictably not picking up on it, but no player on the Denver Broncos’ roster has been talked about in a more universally positive way than second-year defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones.
Jones, a third-round pick out of Ohio State in 2019, already has an AFC Defensive Player of the Week to his name and showed down the stretch last season what kind of impact he’s capable of making on games.
Defensive line coach Bill Kollar noted during a practice interview how improved Jones is this year, particularly against the run.
“He’s looking real good right now.”
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 31, 2020
DL Coach Bill Kollar’s been impressed so far with @TheOfficial_80’s jump in Year 2: pic.twitter.com/4Nscg2Ri9k
John Elway and the Denver Broncos have made a habit of using at least one top 100 draft pick on the defensive front seven pretty much every year since he’s been in charge. Jones might be one of the first picks that have landed really well since 2012 (Derek Wolfe, Malik Jackson).
The Broncos’ base defense will include Jurrell Casey, Mike Purcell, and Shelby Harris, but I think Jones will out-snap at least Purcell on that list, maybe Harris as well.
If that’s the case, there’s no telling what kind of damage we’ll see him do with the increased reps.