Here's what to expect from new Denver Broncos D-lineman D.J. Jones

The Broncos’ run defense in 2021 was at times questionable.

They hope D.J. Jones is a huge part of the answer.

In a deal first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Broncos and Jones agreed to terms Monday on a 3-year deal that is worth up to $30 million with $20 million guaranteed.

The 27-year-old South Carolina native broke into the NFL in 2017 with the San Francisco 49ers as a sixth-round pick, then moved into the starting lineup in 2019, where he remained through last season. He got there and stayed there because he became one of the league’s stoutest interior run defenders.

By one measure last year, he was the league’s best. Per the run-stop data compiled by Pro Football Focus, Jones’ run-stop rate of 13.1 percent in 2021 was the best in the league of the 105 interior defensive linemen who had at least 150 snaps against the run.

For that skill, he will become an immediate fixture in the Broncos’ base defense.

Jones’ pass-rush efficiency doesn’t match what he is against the run; last year, he ranked 55th among 97 interior defensive linemen in overall pressure rate, generating pressure once every 14.5 pass-rush snaps, per the data compiled by Pro Football Focus.

But if he can occupy blockers on the interior to set up one-on-one chances for teammates — just as he did in San Francisco — he will have done his job.

Jones’ signing fills a void on the defensive line created when Shelby Harris was included in the Broncos’ trade for Russell Wilson last week, a deal that is expected to be finalized when the new league year begins at 2 p.m. MDT on March 16.

A sixth-year veteran, Jones should provide substantial help to the Broncos’ run defense.

By some metrics, the Broncos run defense in 2021 wasn’t bad. It ranked 14th in yardage allowed on a per-carry basis and fourth in first-down rate.

But it lacked the ability to stuff. Denver ranked 26th in the NFL in the percentage of runs that resulted in a loss of yardage. Just 6.41 percent of all non-kneeldown carries against the Broncos ended in a tackle for a loss.

With Jones helping anchor the 49ers’ run defense, San Francisco ranked fifth in the same metric, with 10.30 percent of all non-kneeldown carries against them resulting in a loss.

Denver hopes Jones helps push the Broncos to those same heights.