Datone Jones: 2015 Packers Player Report Card

Datone Jones

  • Age: 25
  • Ht./Wt: 6'4", 285 lbs
  • College: UCLA
  • NFL Experience: 3 years

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Expectations coming into the season:  High, but not too high.  Jones of course carries the expectations of a first round pick, but injuries slowed his progress.  Interior defenders, specifically pass rushers, take time to develop, and Jones has been no different.  Jones certailny flashed his tremendous potential in 2014, with 1.5 sacks and 15 QB pressures.  He also had three sacks in the 2015 preseason.

Player’s highlights/low-lights: Jones was an animal in the road victory against Minnesota.  Jones had two sacks and a pass defensed, dominating the Vikings offensive line all day long.  Jones' pass rush potential was put to the test when Dom Capers started to expirement with the young defender at the outside linebacker position, especially on run downs.  Jones was passable, giving credence to the idea that he might be effective as a strong-side end in a 4-3 defense.  The low point for Jones was definitely having to miss the season opener against the Bears because of a failed drug test.

Level of Expectations met:  I understand that 20 tackles and 3 sacks are not earth-shattering numbers, but I actually think Jones exceeded expectations in 2015.  He was able to stay healthy and play in all 15 games during a season when not many of the Packers could say the same.  He provided the Packers with interior pass rush and his versatility allowed defensive coordinator Dom Capers to use other defensive linemen in run situations and save edge rushers like Julius Peppers and Nick Perry for passing downs. Jones' play showed plenty of promise for 2016.  If Jones can take another step forward in 2016, he'll start contract extension conversations, or at the very least discussions about his 2017 team option.

Grade: B-

Player’s contributions to team success:  Jones was an effective young defensive lineman.  He was responsible for three of the Packers 43 team sacks and I'm sure his interior pressure assisted in a few more.  Because of the way his snap count splits ended up, Pro Football Focus graded Jones as an edge defender.  PFF qualified 110 edge defenders, and Jones ranked 45th, slightly higher than teammates Nick Perry and Julius Peppers.  Jones also rated higher than all unqualified (based on snap count) players not named Cameron Wake.  It's hard to be disappointed in a third year defensive lineman playing above-average football, especially one playing in his first healthy season.  

Grade: B+

Player’s contributions in the playoffs: They were minimal.  Jones recorded two solo tackles in the game against Arizona, but failed to record a statistic in the game against Washington.  He didn't make a noticeable impact rushing the passer, but his use as an edge defender against the run was effective.  Washington struggled to run the ball, and Arizona's David Johnson, who loves to get out on the edge, had nowhere to go.  Datone Jones did his part.  Nothing less, but certainly nothing more.

Grade: C

Intangibles/misc: Everything I've ever read about Datone Jones, including from his Packer and UCLA coaches woudl indicate that he's a good player and a good teammate.  It was not OK for Jones to miss the opening game of the 2015 season because of a failed drug test and you can bet that it will cost him financially when he does his first contract extension.  With that said he got busted for doing something that he shouldn't have done the day after the NFC Championship loss to the Seahawks.  It's not great, it's not acceptable, but it is understandable.  I don't anticipate Jones' attitude or off-the-field exploits hurting this team in the future.

Grade: C+

 

Overall Grade:  B-

 

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Ross Uglem is a staff writer for Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter @RossUglem 

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Comments (27)

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croatpackfan's picture

February 04, 2016 at 08:09 am

Interesting mark for the player who played the whole season under Packers fans radar. He did his job and something more. If every player on the Packers team would do that next season, Packers will be SB Champs...
So, I agree with your final overall Grade!

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KenEllis's picture

February 04, 2016 at 09:59 am

Datone Jones played at a C+ level. 3 sacks. 20 tackles. Not awful, but not all that great either.

Getting just barely above average play out of a 1st round pick in his third season is a surefire recipe for not getting to Super Bowls, especially when you live (and die) exclusively through the draft.

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lou's picture

February 04, 2016 at 08:17 am

I did see improvement this season and his move to LB in certain packages adds to his overall value. But his career has taken the same plane as Perry's, every year we read how he is ready to play like a #1 pick and like Perry he does have games where he shines but not nearly to the level Perry has. Unlike Perry he has been more available which is important. Unless he takes a giant step forward he looks like a valuable utility player on the D-Line.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 04, 2016 at 08:36 am

Jones was good this year. Not great but good.

Jones is a player that I think will take a step up next year.

I kind of wonder if he would be better put in the Elephant End position. Have him standing up more and playing more OLB, similar to how they use Peppers. While he isn't a guy that should drop into coverage much, I do wonder if he would be better in that role.

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lou's picture

February 04, 2016 at 09:25 am

It will be interesting to see how they utilize him in 2016, much will depend on free agents leaving or staying and D-Lineman/LB's acquired via draft or undrafted freed agent means. The most puzzling thing to me was that with his size he got washed out in the run game when playing DE, Perry weighs a lot less but he anchors as good as anyone (it seems his lower body is much stronger than Jones).

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TarynsEyes's picture

February 04, 2016 at 11:31 am

The lower half of Perry was/is one of the reasons I was sure he couldn't be an outside linebacker in 3-4. He was 280 or so when drafted and should have gained some and been a DE in the 3-4.
D Jones was picture perfect with the Hercules chains around his neck but it was useless in games. Him playing outside linebacker will be no better than Perry. Just from a different angle but not enough to regard as successful at even a C+ grade.

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zoellner25's picture

February 04, 2016 at 12:11 pm

I agree, good but not great. Not 1st round great, but he got better. he'll get more reps and keep improving......I hope.

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Bearmeat's picture

February 04, 2016 at 09:33 am

When he was drafted, it looked like Jones, along with Neal, Perry and Daniels, was another "square peg in a round hole" fit for the 34 D. His frame needed to put on strength and weight and no one knew for sure if he could do that. However, unlike the others, Jones has the natural length to play 5 Tech DT - so there was all-pro potential IF he could make those gains. So far, he has not put on that strength or weight, and if he hasn't done it after 3 years, I sincerely doubt he can. He has flashed as a pass rusher, but has been not good as a 5 Tech run defender. He, also like Neal and Perry, has been injury prone throughout his career - perhaps because he is too light to play 5 Tech. I believe this is why Dom started putting him at OLB to reduce Peppers snaps. He can rush the passer, but he can't defend the run as a 2 gapping DL. He just doesn't have the bulk.

I'd love to say that I believe Jones will turn in a monster season next year as yet another miscast "Elephant" end, but I don't think he will. He will probably finish 2016 with similar production to 2015. He won't be tendered this offseason, and will probably be on his way out the door to play LDE with 43 team after 2016. Just like Perry this year - and perhaps like Neal as well.

TT swings and misses on yet another front 7 player in the first round.

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Evan's picture

February 04, 2016 at 10:25 am

"...another "square peg in a round hole" fit for the 34 D."

I could have sworn that UCLA actually ran a 3-4 and Jones played the 5 tech in college.

As for Jones' weight, as had been pointed out endlessly, he's the exact same size as Justin Smith and like 1 inch and 5 pounds smaller than JJ Watt. His issue isn't size or weight.

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Packer_Pete's picture

February 04, 2016 at 12:02 pm

You are right UCLA ran a 3-4. And Jones was the standout 5tech there...

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Bearmeat's picture

February 04, 2016 at 12:07 pm

Playing against 280 lb OTs. Sure. And Jones himself has said that his job was to rush the passer more often than not at UCLA.

RE: Smith and Watt. Look at those guys. Then look at Jones. There is no body type comparison. Both of them are much stouter and stronger than Jones is, height and weight be darned.

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Evan's picture

February 04, 2016 at 12:09 pm

Okay, sure. I'm just saying that Jones wasn't the conversion project that Perry or Neal was.

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Bearmeat's picture

February 04, 2016 at 12:14 pm

Fair point.

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TarynsEyes's picture

February 04, 2016 at 12:22 pm

When your opponent in college is of equal size and you're drafted to play against guys 30-50 lbs bigger it is a conversion in essence/theory.

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Evan's picture

February 04, 2016 at 01:03 pm

That's true of every player coming out of college.

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Bearmeat's picture

February 04, 2016 at 03:36 pm

Yes it is, but Datone HAD to gain that mass to be effective as a 34 DE. He didn't - probably because he just can't. His body type is just different than the Wilkerson's and/or Smith's of the world.

Hence his inefficient play.

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NickPerry's picture

February 05, 2016 at 05:20 am

Bearmeat ..I thought the exact same thing when TT drafted Daniels, Worthy, Perry, and Neal. Matter of fact after 2012 & 2013 my hope was the Packers would fire Capers and go to a 4-3 defense. The players they had just seemed better suited for a 4-3.

Daniels was so short I didn't think he'd work out, not for the Packers. Neal couldn't stay healthy carring all the "Extra" weight they asked him to put on, and Perry ,made it public he wanted to play in a 4-3 defense, he wanted to play DE. I can't blame him for Worthy, I think he wanted Kendell Reyes & TT paniced and moved up. They vasalated between Devon Still and Worthy and decided Worthy had "More Juice"

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Razer's picture

February 04, 2016 at 11:46 am

Like many of the comments, I want to see more from both Jones and Perry. As 1st round picks, you'd expect significant contribution by year two. We are into or past year 3, and we are rejoicing in these guys completing a season. Both Datone Jones and Nick Perry are playing less snaps than our other regulars. Both these guys are constantly battling injury and yet are working a lighter load. Sorry, I am expecting significantly more from both of these picks.

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Bearmeat's picture

February 04, 2016 at 12:13 pm

Bingo. Add in Neal and his injury issues. Worthy as a bust. Harrell as a bust. Thornton as a bust. Raji as so-so. Hawk as so so to a bust. There are more....

On the front 7, TT has Mike Daniels. CM3. And a bag of balls to brag about in 10 years on the job. Hopefully Pennell takes a jump.

But regardless of how much harder it is to scout DL than other positions... TT has invested plenty of draft capital on the front 7. And his record....Is. Not. Good.

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Razer's picture

February 04, 2016 at 12:24 pm

I agree on your assessment of TT's performance on this front. He's had good results with skill guys early but the big bodies - not so much. I think that is why I am so impressed with our find with Pennel and the progress of Mike Daniels.

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Bearmeat's picture

February 04, 2016 at 03:40 pm

I guess. I believe the phrase something something blind squirrel something something nut applies here.

TT Sucks at the front 7 on D. His record proves it. Which is WHY he should have jumped into the free agency pool several times over the past 5 years to augment a known flaw.

But he didn't. Hence the 1 super bowl and 3 NFC CGs in the past 10 years, instead of several bites at the apple in the last game or 2 of the year.

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Tundraboy's picture

February 06, 2016 at 04:04 pm

Problem with these guys is that we cannot expect anything, just hope for being healthy and contributing. If they make jumps all the better but can certainly not count on it.

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Handsback's picture

February 04, 2016 at 03:05 pm

You can't compare guys weight and length and expect the same game results. There arew multiple attributes that make-up a complete player. I think Jones has some potential and feel that Perry still has some improvement coming in his play. Two guys that are 6-6 and 265 pounds and run the 40 in 4.6 won't have the same stats as TEs. Guys like Smith, Gronk, and Watt have different strengths that make them ultra-successful. Jones and Perry have yet to unlock those strengths.

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TarynsEyes's picture

February 04, 2016 at 05:16 pm

" Jones and Perry have yet to unlock those strengths."

Somebody better find those keys quick or they will remain misplaced in this defense.

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Bearmeat's picture

February 04, 2016 at 05:59 pm

I would argue that they really aren't strengths in a 34 Defense that can be used on an every-down basis. Ergo... they were miscast by TT.

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Rossonero's picture

February 05, 2016 at 08:35 am

I was really excited by Jones. Prior to the 2013 draft, he was the only guy at the Senior Bowl who gave no. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher trouble. He'll be a nice rotation player, but not an impact player.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 05, 2016 at 11:23 am

Ross had been on fire, but imo the fire department showed up for this article. I don't agree with much of it, and we don't even have the same frame of reference. I am sorry, but the phrase interior defender when used in conjunction with Datone Jones seems like an oxymoron. It is probably semantics. I suppose Datone lined up as a DL in some 2-4-5, nickel and dime alignments, but it was as a pass rusher and not as a general interior defender.

I agree that his expectations were high, but not too high. I guess mine were higher than the author's. I had hopes that he could be a complete player, but again he was pretty much a situational only player, with limited value as a rotational guy. That is, he was not a rotational guy in that he couldn't be plugged in readily; instead, he could play well only in situations that favor his skill set. In other words, not when the other team had the ball on their own thirty yard line and had a 1st and 10. Our 1st round draft choice who was healthy for the first time just barely got more snaps than Guion and Pennel. Not too impressed that he was healthy and was able to play just 364 snaps. He was on the injury report often enough. I expected him to get better and he did, so he met expectations. Grade: C

His sack total is unimpressive. 3 sacks (2 of which came in one game against MN's bad offensive line) is not great. That means 1 sack in the other 14 games. 1 sack every 121 snaps for a guy used more in passing situations is not exactly stellar. 9 knockdowns and 6 hurries and 3 sacks leads to 20 pressures, or about one every 23 snaps, which is good, but less so for a situational pass rusher - Elliott had 1 every 21.75 snaps. Datone did improve against the run, as evidenced by his 4 tackles for loss or stuffs (one website has Datone with 7 tackles for loss), but 20 tackles, only 6 solo, is again less than stellar. It betokens a penetrator with some range for the assisted tackles, but not a guy who can take on a blocker, shed the block and make the tackle. Jones' 1 tackle per 16.2 snaps is last amoung DL, and 2nd to last among LBs. One should take into account that Datone played more in passing situations. Datone's 8 missed tackles per snap translates into a terrible 1 missed tackle per 45 snaps. Jake Ryan led the team with a missed tackle every 29 snaps (Ryan also led the team by making a tackle every 5.8 snaps, and my subjective opinion is that I think he improved in this area as he played more), followed by Palmer with a missed tackle every 41 snaps, Hayward (every 64 snaps) and Elliott every 87 snaps). When your stats compare to Nate Palmer, you are not in a good place.
He batted down 3 passes, which is good. He had no turnover producing plays. Jones made a big play or two on STs. Contribution to the team's overall success: C, probably a C+ as utilized.

Overall verdict is that Jones is fine as a situational but not a rotational player. He can't play 3-4 DE in base. He is a 'tweener whose future is not as a base 3-4 DE but as a situational rusher and elephant OLB, or as a 4-3 DE for another team. Not a guy GB can squeeze 600 or 800 snaps out of. GB's decision to move him more to OLB is well-grounded in the statistics. As a draft pick, he is not a bust, he is not good or even average, he is meh.

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