ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Chris Jones didn’t make the tackle on what could have been a key snap in last week’s Kansas City Chiefs preseason opener, but he made the play. The rookie defensive lineman got into the backfield on a fourth-and-1 play late in the first half and disrupted Seattle Seahawks running back George Farmer long enough for linebacker Justin March tackle Farmer for no gain.
It was but one in a series of nice plays in his preseason NFL debut by Jones, a second-round draft choice and the Chiefs’ top pick.
"Chris did a lot of good things for a rookie," defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said. “He’s a big man and he has really good quickness. He’s got a natural ability to do a couple of things. To name one, he can get through small areas, which is impressive. He’s also got a sense of when to get a hand up when the quarterback is about ready to throw, as he’s rushing, which is a real gift. With that wing span, it can be a really effective thing for him and for us on the defense.”
Jones has also impressed the Chiefs at training camp. If he continues to play well, he’ll force the Chiefs into some interesting decisions in the short and long term. This year, the Chiefs have established veteran starters on their defensive line in Dontari Poe, Allen Bailey and Jaye Howard.
They haven’t needed a lot of relief in the past. All three, particularly Poe, have played a lot of snaps. But Jones could crash the rotation by getting a significant amount of work.
Beyond 2016, Poe’s contract is up at the end of the season. It’s been the Chiefs’ habit since John Dorsey arrived as general manager to use their top draft pick on a player whose position matches that of a soon-to-be free agent. He did that in 2013 when he drafted Eric Fisher (who a year later replaced Branden Albert at left tackle). He did that in 2014 when he drafted linebacker Dee Ford (Justin Houston was then a year away from free agency, though the Chiefs eventually re-signed him). He did it last year when he drafted Marcus Peters (who this year replaced Sean Smith as the No. 1 cornerback).
Now, along comes Jones, who could be the eventual replacement for Poe if the Chiefs can’t either sign him at the end of the year to a new long-term contract or make him their franchise player.
Either way, Jones looks to have a future with the Chiefs. He started to show it in his preseason debut.
