Multiple reports have the Lions expected to be players for Seahawks defensive lineman Jason Jones.
CBS’ Jason La Canfora said Monday that Jones may be the Lions’ top free-agent priority, and NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah has noted that the Lions have looked into Jones. Also, veteran NFL writer Mike O’Hara, who writes for the Lions’ website, has also suggested a Jones-Lions match would make sense (a hat tip to Detroit Jock City for mentioning that one).
Jones’ connections to Detroit are hard to miss.
The 26-year-old Jones was a second-round pick of the Titans in 2008 when ... drum roll ... current Lions head coach Jim Schwartz was Tennessee’s defensive coordinator and new Lions defensive line coach Jim Washburn held the same position on the Titans’ coaching staff.
Jones notched a career-best five sacks in his first NFL season, with 3.5 sacks coming in Tennessee’s 31-14 victory vs. Pittsburgh. The win secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs for the Titans.
The 6-foot-5, 276-pound Jones can play tackle and end, positions where the Lions may need to add depth, particularly if defensive end Cliff Avril and defensive tackle Sammie Lee Hill leave in free agency. Moreover, he is likely very familiar with what Washburn expects out of his defensive linemen.
Jones ranks No. 24 on PFT’s list of the top 100 free agents of 2013.