Since being selected with pick No. 70 in the 2020 NFL draft, Miami Dolphins safety Brandon Jones has been earning more opportunities to perform.
As a rookie, Jones played just 37% of defensive snaps, and that number jumped to 64% in 2021. Last year, he caught a lot of attention for his ability to blitz the quarterback from the secondary, as he recorded five sacks – the most of any defensive back.
However, entering his third season, Jones wants to prove that he can provide Miami’s defense with much more than just blitzing.
“Yeah, I don’t necessarily think that I’m identified as just a blitzing safety, especially with the amount of stuff they have me doing on defense playing multiple different positions,” Jones said after Tuesday’s OTA session. “My goal is to obviously kind of branch away from being labeled as ‘This guy can only blitz. This guy can’t cover. This guy can’t do this, can’t do that.’ Just trying to find the best way for me that I could be a well-rounded football player.”
According to Pro Football Reference, Jones blitzed 69 times in 2021, recording 14 pressures. He also allowed receptions on 27 of the 33 targets he saw for 330 yards and a 95.7 passer rating.
If Jones wants to take the next step and remove the “blitzing safety” title, he’ll have to clean up those coverage snaps and limit the damage that tight ends and running backs can do to this defense. A leap for him in his third season could be a world of difference for this defense.
