ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — DeForest Buckner. Arik Armstead. Javon Kinlaw.
All first-round picks. All viewed at a time as dominant defensive lineman. All three have a combined 75-career sacks.
No one knows those three better than their former teammate and Broncos’ new defensive lineman D.J. Jones.
And Jones believes without a doubt his new teammate Dre’Mont Jones absolutely has similar traits and abilities as his former, dominant teammates, which include a First-team All-Pro.
“110 percent. Yes. Yes,” the former 49er said instantly when asked if Dre’Mont is similar to his former teammates. “He’s very disruptive. I love it. I’ve told him many times my old coach would love him. I’m glad he’s here with me. I’m glad I’m here with him. But I’m glad I’m here with this group.”
Dre’Mont has his eyes set on 10 sacks this upcoming season, which would put him up there with the best defensive lineman in the NFL. In fact, Buckner, now with the Colts, only has one double-digit sack season and he’s a two-time All-Pro.
D.J. is shooting for half of Dre’Mont’s lofty goal, in part because D.J. is more of a run-stuffer than a pass rusher. But he wants to change that.
“I want to pass rush. I want to exceed five sacks,” D.J. said on Tuesday, when addressing what part of his game he wants to take to the next level. “I think it’s the perfect scheme to do it. I think it’s the perfect group of guys to work with and better myself.”
The reason Ejiro Evero’s scheme is perfect for him is because of all of the one-on-one opportunities he’s going to get.
“I ain’t trying to tell too much, but you get a lot of one-on-ones,” Jones added. “I’m able to make a lot more plays.”
Expect Denver’s new defensive lineman to play all across the Broncos’ line, as he attempts to live up to the three-year, $30-million deal he received in the offseason.
At 305 pounds, Jones is aiming to be an All-Pro and land in the Pro Bowl during his time in Denver.
“That’s all I want to do is just dominate. Be a wrecking ball,” he stated. “Dominate here. I feel like I made a mark in San Francisco, but I think it’s time to bring that here. Help this community, help this team. I’m here to do whatever they need me to do.”
In his three seasons as a primary starter for the 49ers, Jones certainly made his mark on San Francisco’s defensive line as he racked up seven sacks, 21 tackles for a loss, eight quarterback hits and was a dominant force in the run game.
On Sept. 25, in front of the entire country on Sunday Night Football, Jones plans to make his mark on San Francisco one more time.
“I’m going to go crazy. Simply put, I’m going to go crazy,” he said, when asked about playing his former team in Week 3. “Not because they didn’t want—not anger against them, I love that organization, but everybody when you play your former team, it goes down.”
Since being drafted by the 49ers in 2017, Jones was a key piece of arguably the NFL’s best defensive line. Despite leaving Armstead and Kinlaw in the Bay Area, he truly believes he can be part of the best defensive line in 2022, this time in Denver.
“We can be the best dline in the NFL as long as we continue to work hard, stay healthy and lean on each other,” Jones stated. “We can be the best.”
Along with the law firm Jones & Jones, D.J. and Dre’Mont are joined by Mike Purcell, McTelvin Agim, DeShaun Williams and Jonathan Harris as the major contributors along Denver’s defensive line.
However, in order for the Broncos’ defensive line to live up to their lofty goals of being the best in the NFL, Jones & Jones will have to lead the way.
