Packers safety Josh Jones wants out; should the Broncos be interested?
May 22, 2019, 6:05 AM
The Broncos are in their second week of OTAs and they’re getting a long look at the talent assembled this offseason. With quite a few practices to look at and evaluate, Denver may be looking elsewhere for upgrades at certain positions.
That could come through available free agents, players who were recently released or decided to come out of retirement (see my article on Gerald Hodges and Gerald McCoy). However, an upgrade in talent might be available through a trade as well.
On Tuesday, Rob Demovsky from ESPN reported that Green Bay Packers safety Josh Jones wants to be traded.
Packers safety Josh Jones is skipping the voluntary OTAs and working out in Florida because he’s hoping to be traded, a source told ESPN. The source said the 2017 second-round pick believes it would be best for both parties if they parted ways. Story coming on ESPN shortly.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) May 21, 2019
Should the Broncos trade the Packers for Jones? Let’s take a look.
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Why Does Jones Want to Be Traded?
There has been buzz about Jones changing positions to play inside linebacker for the Packers, but that may not be the reason why he wants out of Green Bay. It may have more to do with ego.
Jones was a second-round pick for the Packers in the 2017 NFL Draft. Since then, the Packers added veteran safety Adrian Amos in free agency this offseason. They also selected speedy safety Darnell Savage in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
It’s clear the Packers are making plans that don’t include Jones. That may not sit well with the young safety.
Coming out of N.C. State, Jones was known as a big hitter and a player who already had an “NFL mindset” entering the league. He’s not afraid of contact and loves to blow up plays.
That aggression can be a double-edged sword.
Jones often plays wildly and seemingly out of control at times. He is so intent on getting a big hit that he will lack discipline in his responsibility. Jones will bite on any play fake, as he wants to make contact near the line of scrimmage.
A Packers source told me on Tuesday that Jones was “strictly a box safety who really struggles in coverage.” The Broncos don’t need more big hitters, they do need players who can perform better in coverage and that makes Jones a curious fit.
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Depth Concerns at Safety?
The Broncos have a revamped secondary for 2019 and that includes the safety position. Free agent Kareem Jackson was added this offseason and he has mostly been practicing at safety this offseason. He can play cornerback, as well, but it looks like the Broncos really want him mostly at safety in 2019.
In addition to Jackson, the Broncos have quality players like Justin Simmons, who I think could be an All-Pro this season. Simmons has the talent to play at free safety, strong safety or nickel corner for the Broncos. He’s one of the brightest players on the team and has yet to play his best football.
Behind Simmons, the Broncos have some interesting depth players who are getting a longer look at OTAs.
Will Parks is more than a depth player and could be a starter for the Broncos if Jackson has to play more cornerback than expected. He seemed lost at times early last season, but steadily improved as the season went on and made some big plays for the Broncos secondary.
Su’a Cravens is still with the team even though his 2018 season ended with him being a healthy scratch for the final three contests of the year. Cravens, like Jones, is known for playing like a heat-seeking missile on the football field. While Jones may not want to switch to safety, Cravens is open to playing dime-backer for the Broncos. Cravens has struggled with injury during his pro career, but has plenty of natural talent if healthy and motivated.
Dymonte Thomas is one of the most under-the-radar Broncos that people need to talk about more. Thomas does a good job of diagnosing plays quickly and has the athleticism to play in space while covering.
Jamal Carter is one of the players I’ll be watching closely this offseason. His 2018 was cut short by a hamstring injury suffered in the Broncos second preseason game last August. He’s a really intimidating player who wins collisions and plays to strike fear into opponents. Undrafted in 2017 out of Miami, Carter has the upside to be at least a spot starter – and he may not make the 53-man roster because all of the talent ahead of him on the depth chart.
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Summary
Jones is likely to get a lot of interest on the trade block, especially because he has two years remaining on his rookie contract. A fresh start could help jump-start the young safety’s career, but it doesn’t seem like the Broncos would be a good fit.
He’s an interesting player who could benefit from playing for a new team. Jones can fit with a lot of teams in the NFL, but there just doesn’t seem to be room for him here in Denver.
The Broncos have talented starters at the safety position and they do have unheralded depth in the room, as well. Unless injuries strike the depth chart, it seems like the Broncos are more than set at the safety position.
