This post is Part Four of a series counting down the 10 most important Raiders players under contract for next season (not including Derek Carr). Guys set to be free agents (Josh Jacobs, Jarrett Stidham, etc.) aren’t included here. Click here for Part One, Part Two and Part Three of this series.
No. 7: Chandler Jones
With a salary like his, you would hope Jones would be higher on this list (it’s not necessarily because the six guys above him are world-beaters) — but with the way he ended last season, I suppose there is some optimism that his ranking could climb. Brought in to be a difference maker across from Maxx Crosby, Jones was invisible for most of his first season in Las Vegas before flashing a bit in his final four games prior to missing Weeks 17 and 18.
2022 Stats: 15 games, 38 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 FF, 3 FR, 1 Defensive TD
2023 Outlook
While Jones will be remembered for being on the receiving end of one of the most ridiculous plays in NFL history, he should be hopeful that’s the only thing anyone remembers about his 2022 season. While collecting a $17 million salary, Jones — previously a pass-rushing specialist — had zero sacks in 12 of his 15 starts. Of his 4.5 total sacks, three came in one game (a week 13 win over the Chargers).
As I said above, if you’re interested in drinking the Kool-Aid, convince yourself that the Jones who finished the season (prior to injury) is the one we’ll see more of in 2023. In addition to 4 of his 4.5 sacks, Jones recorded 9 of his 15 quarterback hits in weeks 13-16 while also forcing a fumble and recovering two.
The pessimistic side, however, points out that Jones will be 33 very shortly and that — aside from a five-sack game in Week 1 — his 2021 season was nearly as disappointing as his 2022 season (he had just 5.5 sacks in his final 14 games). If this is what Jones was capable of across from Maxx Crosby having an absolutely dominant season, drawing double and triple teams nearly every step, then what might he look like if Crosby regresses even a little?
Then again, says the Kool-Aid, what if Jones actually finds himself next to someone on the interior who can be a pass-rushing threat? (You’ll notice there are no defensive tackles on this list so far — and none are coming).
My gut says that the pessimistic side is probably the right one, but regardless Jones will be back next season because of his contract — and one way or another, he’ll be “important”.
