An overview of Chris Jones for your consideration.

[Rain Man]

I looked at the first four years of the careers of Chiefs defensive linemen. Here's where Chris Jones ranks in key metrics.

All figures courtesy of pro football reference. The stats often say they start in a particular year, but some players overlap that year and others who are older are occasionally listed, so read at your own risk.

The top ten defensive linemen are shown in each category unless there was a tie for the #10 spot, in which case more or listed.

What are your reactions? Any surprises?

Combined Tackles (Starting in 1987)

253 - Neil Smith /1988-1991
239 - Tamba Hali /2006-2009
231 - Glenn Dorsey /2008-2011
230 - Jared Allen /2004-2007
173 - Dontari Poe /2012-2015
166 - Tyson Jackson /2009-2012
161 - Dan Saleaumua /1989-1990
138 - Eric Hicks /1998-2001
136 - Chris Jones /2016-2019
132 - John Browning /1996-2000

(Edited to combined tackles from solo since it appears that solo wasn't split out for every player.)


Tackles for Loss (Starting in 1999)

56 - Jared Allen /2004-2007
37 - Chris Jones /2016-2019
34 - Tamba Hali /2006-2009
27 - Eric Hicks /1998-2001
16 - Glenn Dorsey /2008-2011
15 - Allen Bailey /2011-2014
15 - Jaye Howard /2013-2015
15 - Dontari Poe /2012-2015
14 - Ryan Sims /2002-2005
13 - Wallace Gilberry /2008-2011


Sacks (Since 1982)

43 - Jared Allen /2004-2007
33 - Chris Jones /2016-2019
27 - Tamba Hali /2006-2009
26.5 - Neil Smith /1988-1991
25 - Bill Maas /1984-1987
21.5 - Eric Hicks /1998-2001
14 - Wallace Gilberry /2008-2011
13.5 - Darren Mickell /1992-1995
12 - John Browning /1996-2000
11.5 - Dontari Poe /2012-2015


Quarterback Hits (Since 2006)

72 - Chris Jones /2016-2019
39 - Jared Allen /2004-2007
35 - Tamba Hali /2006-2009
29 - Wallace Gilberry /2008-2011
21 - Dontari Poe /2012-2015
16 - Jaye Howard /2013-2015
14 - Glenn Dorsey /2008-2011
14 - Tanoh Kpassagnon /2017-2019
13 - Allen Bailey /2011-2014
11 - Emmanuel Ogbah /2019-2019


Passes Defensed

26 - Jared Allen /2004-2007
20 - Chris Jones /2016-2019
9 - Tamba Hali /2006-2009
9 - Dontari Poe /2012-2015
7 - Tyson Jackson /2009-2012
6 - Allen Bailey /2011-2014
4 - Wallace Gilberry /2008-2011
4 - Carlos Hall /2005-2005
4 - Eric Hicks /1998-2001
4 - Andy Studebaker /2008-2011


Forced Fumbles (Since 1993)

14 - Jared Allen /2004-2007
14 - Tamba Hali /2006-2009
12 - Neil Smith /1988-1991
8 - Darren Mickell /1992-1995
7 - Chris Jones /2016-2019
4 - Wallace Gilberry /2008-2011
4 - Eric Hicks /1998-2001
2 - Vaughn Booker /1994-1997
2 - Carlos Hall /2005-2005
2 - Andy Studebaker /2008-2011


Interceptions

8 - Bobby Bell* /1963-1966
5 - Whitney Paul /1976-1979
2 - Chris Jones /2016-2019
2 - Andy Studebaker /2008-2011
2 - Wilbur Young /1971-1974
1 - Jared Allen /2004-2007
1 - Monty Beisel /2001-2004
1 - John Browning /1996-2000
1 - Tamba Hali /2006-2009
1 - Dino Mangiero /1980-1983
1 - Jerry Mays /1961-1964
1 - Derrick Nnadi /2018-2019
1 - Dan Saleaumua /1989-1990
1 - Ryan Sims /2002-2005


Rushing Yards

1 - Dontari Poe /2012-2015
Jones is tied for second with zero yards, but he's only one yard out from the lead.


Games Played (Since 1960)

63 - Tamba Hali /2006-2009
63 - Don Parrish /1978-1981
62 - Glenn Dorsey /2008-2011
62 - Dontari Poe /2012-2015
61 - Jared Allen /2004-2007
61 - Tom Barndt /1996-1999
61 - Chris Jones /2016-2019
61 - Dave Lindstrom /1978-1981
60 - Neil Smith /1988-1991
59 - Tyson Jackson /2009-2012


Fumble Recoveries

11 - Dan Saleaumua /1989-1990
8 - Jared Allen /2004-2007
7 - Whitney Paul /1976-1979
6 - Aaron Brown /1966-1970
6 - John Lohmeyer /1973-1977
5 - Vaughn Booker /1994-1997
5 - Eric Hicks /1998-2001
5 - Don Parrish /1978-1981
5 - Neil Smith /1988-1991
4 - Glenn Dorsey /2008-2011
(Jones ranks 28th with 1)

[Chief Northman]

Thanks Rain Man.

1) I miss Jared Allen (Damn you Carl!)

2) Holy QB hits Batman!

3) Pay the man.

[Rain Man]

Thanks Rain Man.

1) I miss Jared Allen (Damn you Carl!)

2) Holy QB hits Batman!

3) Pay the man.

The QB hits really jump out, don't they?

It's possible that they're measured a different way in the recent era, but we don't know that. If you look at sacks and QB hits and passes defensed, Jones is one of our top two pass-defending linemen of the past twenty years. Only Jared Allen is comparable.

I also figure that the lower tackle totals for Jones is due in part to the fact that passes are more common now in the Age of Offense.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Great work Rainman. Interesting stuff there.

Eye opening that he beats Tamba and Neil Smith in sacks playing primarily as a interior lineman as opposed to those two being on the outside.

Too bad he's not a better run stopper. Maybe he can improve that.

[jjchieffan]

The man is a beast. I hate the position that the team is with him. It makes sense to tag and trade him for the greater good of the team. But how do trade away a guy who has been this impactful? How do you replace that production? If you get a first and third round pick and save $18 million per year, that sounds good. But what if that turns into Ryan Sims, Kevarae Russell and Justin Houston his last 2 years here? I hate to see a sure thing walk away because we HOPE that we can replace the production. And maybe we can. Maybe we get a Derrick Johnson, a Jamaal Charles, and a Tyrann Mathieu. If we can do that, then we win. We probably end up somewhere in the middle. But how much is enough to make it worth it?

[Chief Pagan]

I hate to see a sure thing walk away because we HOPE that we can replace the production.

Was extending Berry and Houston also a sure thing?

:hmmm:

[cdcox]

Getting pressure and sacks from a position that does not normally rack them up is a huge win.

[dlphg9]

Was extending Berry and Houston also a sure thing?

:hmmm:

Well chalk Houston up to bad luck, but its not like he was anywhere close to a bust. Anyone that wants to use Eric Berry as a reason to not sign someone long term is a fucking retard. You don't give out huge long term deals to 29 year olds. It's an even worse idea to give out long term deals to a guy that went through chemo and had multiple major injuries. Using Berry and Houston as reasons to not give out a long term deal makes you look like a clueless retard.

[dlphg9]

Getting pressure and sacks from a position that does not normally rack them up is a huge win.

Pressure from the middle of the line is huge. If the QB can't stand in the pocket, then they are pretty well fucked.

[MAG]

Damn Jared Allen was a beast.

[teedubya]

Where did you comb this data from?

[Rain Man]

Where did you comb this data from?

Pro football reference. They'll get a nod when I do my acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize in football.

[scho63]

Remember one important thing: if Chief's fans on CP can find and pick this shit out, so do all the people paid a boat load of money to find out facts and stats about Chris Jones.

[rtmike]

Nice work Mr. Man.
I wonder how he compares to Donald’s 1st 4 years?

[Kman34]

Hard to replace that kind of production on your defense... Good thing we have Spaggs to hopefully scheme production out of 2 or three guys who replace him...

[R Clark]

Jones was huge in the super bowl win,Against the run as well as the pass without him we may not have won that game.I don’t know how you keep him without screwing the cap up but Veach damn well better figure out a way.

[candyman]

I can't ever open spoiler tags from my phone, but I bet this is a great thread.

[TEX]

Jones was huge in the super bowl win,Against the run as well as the pass without him we may not have won that game.I don’t know how you keep him without screwing the cap up but Veach damn well better figure out a way.

Completely agree. Must keep him.

[Rain Man]

I can't ever open spoiler tags from my phone, but I bet this is a great thread.

It's pretty amazing. But I won't spoil it for you.

[Prison Bitch]

6 career playoff games.


7 tackles
0 sacks
1 qb hit
9 pass def


So he’s able to knock down a lotta balls but nothing else.

[tyecopeland]

I can't ever open spoiler tags from my phone, but I bet this is a great thread.

I'll spoil it. Jones is on all the lists... except rushing yards

[tyecopeland]

6 career playoff games.


7 tackles
0 sacks
1 qb hit
9 pass def


So he’s able to knock down a lotta balls but nothing else.

So what you are saying is that even when hes not able to get to the qb, likely due to double teams, he still finds a way to make a big impact? Great additional positive look prison BITCH.

[JohnnyHammersticks]

How did losing Jared Allen end up working out for us?

Good info OP!

[wachashi]

The Top 100 Pending Unrestricted Free Agents (https://theathletic.com/1589487/2020/02/12/the-top-100-pending-unrestricted-nfl-free-agents/) - Sheil Kapadia

Chris Jones is the top defensive unrestricted free agent on this list. He's going to be awfully expensive to keep. Fuller at 46, Breeland at 63, Robinson at 93. No other Chiefs players on the list.

1. Dak Prescott
2. Drew Brees
3. Tom Brady
4. Philip Rivers
5. Amari Cooper
6. Chris Jones
7. Yannick Ngakoue
8. Jadeveon Clowney
9. Byron Jones
10. Justin Simmons

[Rain Man]

The Top 100 Pending Unrestricted Free Agents (https://theathletic.com/1589487/2020/02/12/the-top-100-pending-unrestricted-nfl-free-agents/) - Sheil Kapadia

Chris Jones is the top defensive unrestricted free agent on this list. He's going to be awfully expensive to keep. Fuller at 46, Breeland at 63, Robinson at 93. No other Chiefs players on the list.

1. Dak Prescott
2. Drew Brees
3. Tom Brady
4. Philip Rivers
5. Amari Cooper
6. Chris Jones
7. Yannick Ngakoue
8. Jadeveon Clowney
9. Byron Jones
10. Justin Simmons

They think that a trio of ancient QBs are more desirable than Chris Jones? Brees is still viable, I guess, but Brady and Rivers are worth a bag of chips at this point.

[wachashi]

They think that a trio of ancient QBs are more desirable than Chris Jones? Brees is still viable, I guess, but Brady and Rivers are worth a bag of chips at this point.

His thinking is that Brady/Brees/Rivers will make more per year in whatever deal they sign than the players below them. I think. Their positional value is what separates them from Jones.

[Rain Man]

His thinking is that Brady/Brees/Rivers will make more per year in whatever deal they sign than the players below them. I think. Their positional value is what separates them from Jones.

Well, yeah, I guess that's true. But I'm sure glad that other teams will pay those doddering antiques ludicrous amounts of money, and not the Chiefs. Unless the QB situation is truly abysmal, I don't see Brady or Rivers significantly elevating a team next year, whereas Jones will elevate 32 teams.

[TEX]

Well, yeah, I guess that's true. But I'm sure glad that other teams will pay those doddering antiques ludicrous amounts of money, and not the Chiefs. Unless the QB situation is truly abysmal, I don't see Brady or Rivers significantly elevating a team next year, whereas Jones will elevate 32 teams.

Exactly. And one team in particular, that recently moved to Las Vegas, really wants him.

[candyman]

Was Jared Allen the greatest white guy we've ever had? Rain Man: poll!

[TomBarndtsTwin]

I'd like to keep Chris Jones, but fiscally it seems like not the smartest move going forward. We are already paying one D-Lineman $20 mil. per year and Pat's coming due for a contract averaging at least $35 mil. per year.

We want to be a dynasty. The Patriots were a dynasty and did it largely on the premise of an elite coach and elite QB, paying them, and not paying big time money to D-Linemen for long term contracts. We're already paying one. If we want to have a 15 year window of competing for Super Bowls every year, tough decisions will need to be made.

We're gonna have to let Jones go. Ideally, we can franchise tag him and trade him, freeing up that money and re-couping a couple high quality picks in the draft to help re-stock the roster cheaply with higher end talent.

That's the smart move here. It doesn't make the team better (or maybe even as good) next year, but it's the smart long term move to extend the window.

You just don't tie up $40 million dollars per year in 2 linemen. You just can't. It's bad business.

Nothing personal, Chris. We once traded away Jared Allen (who was better) to save money and re-stock talent. It was tough at the time, but absolutely the right move looking back on it.

We need to do the same now.

Glad you got to win a Super Bowl with KC, Chris. You more than lived up to your draft status and severely outplayed your contract. Thanks for that.

Wish you luck with your next team (hopefully in the NFC).

[Megatron96]

6 career playoff games.


7 tackles
0 sacks
1 qb hit
9 pass def


So he’s able to knock down a lotta balls but nothing else.

So you didn't actually watch the game, I take it?

Btw, you neglected to include QB pressures/hurries in your cute little list there..

[Red Beans]

6 career playoff games.


7 tackles
0 sacks
1 qb hit
9 pass def


So he’s able to knock down a lotta balls but nothing else.

Wow. This opinion is full of ass. It reeks of moron, just fucking reeks of it.

[Molitoth]

I'd like to keep Chris Jones, but fiscally it seems like not the smartest move going forward. We are already paying one D-Lineman $20 mil. per year and Pat's coming due for a contract averaging at least $35 mil. per year.

We want to be a dynasty. The Patriots were a dynasty and did it largely on the premise of an elite coach and elite QB, paying them, and not paying big time money to D-Linemen for long term contracts. We're already paying one. If we want to have a 15 year window of competing for Super Bowls every year, tough decisions will need to be made.

We're gonna have to let Jones go. Ideally, we can franchise tag him and trade him, freeing up that money and re-couping a couple high quality picks in the draft to help re-stock the roster cheaply with higher end talent.

That's the smart move here. It doesn't make the team better (or maybe even as good) next year, but it's the smart long term move to extend the window.

You just don't tie up $40 million dollars per year in 2 linemen. You just can't. It's bad business.

Nothing personal, Chris. We once traded away Jared Allen (who was better) to save money and re-stock talent. It was tough at the time, but absolutely the right move looking back on it.

We need to do the same now.

Glad you got to win a Super Bowl with KC, Chris. You more than lived up to your draft status and severely outplayed your contract. Thanks for that.

Wish you luck with your next team (hopefully in the NFC).

Great post. Anyone who thinks we need to drop another 20 mil in the dline is insane. We can't afford it.

Mahomes will draw in some nice talent on the cheap, by veterans who are hungry for a ring.