The Las Vegas Raiders had a busy offseason in free agency, particularly focusing on the defensive side of the ball to improve their roster.
The linebacking corps was a big area of focus, adding both Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski after neglecting that group for years. The Raiders also made some additions to the secondary and defensive line though, bringing in veterans like Damarious Randall, Prince Amukamara, Jeff Heath, Maliek Collins and Carl Nassib.
This season is an unusual one due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, so more transactions can be expected that even a normal season. So even though the Raiders have already begun training camp, that doesn’t mean they still aren’t looking for ways to improve the roster.
After recently waiving a former second-round pick in defensive tackle PJ Hall, it appears the Raiders have found his replacement. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, they are signing free-agent defensive end Datone Jones:
The #Raiders are signing veteran DL and former first-round pick Datone Jones, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 12, 2020
Jones was drafted 26th overall in 2013 out of UCLA by the Green Bay Packers and spent the first four seasons of his career there before stops with the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers. He spent last preseason with the Jacksonville Jaguars although was cut at the end of the preseason and didn’t latch on anywhere for the rest of 2019.
Raiders defensive line coach Rod Marinelli was with the Cowboys when Jones was there, so he is familiar with his skill set.
In 67 career games, Jones has 87 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and eight pass deflections.
Whether he makes the roster or not remains to be seen, but the Raiders can never have too much depth on their defensive line, and pass-rushing has always been an area of need. At 30 years of age, this may be Jones’ last opportunity in the NFL, so he should be as motivated as ever to make the most of it.
