Kansas City Chiefs DT Chris Jones earned PFF’s Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2022, but now they’re ranking another defensive tackle ahead of him in their 2023 interior defensive lineman rankings.
Los Angeles Rams DT Aaron Donald has remained squarely ahead of Jones in these types of rankings for several seasons now. Despite Jones having a better overall grade in 2022, a career year in statistical production, a brand new First-Team All-Pro selection and twice as many Super Bowl rings, Donald remains at the No. 1 spot in PFF’s rankings.
Here’s what PFF’s Gordon McGuiness had to say about Jones’ No. 2 placement:
Jones may be on his way to surpassing Donald as the top interior defender in the NFL. His 92.3 PFF grade in 2022 was the best in the league at the position. With a career-high 97 pressures from 741 pass-rushing snaps, including the playoffs, Jones has established himself as a formidable force in the trenches.
It’s hard to agree with McGuiness on his assessment of Jones being on his way to surpassing Donald. If Jones can’t surpass Donald in a year like 2022 — where he reached career highs and Donald saw a dip in production due to injury — it’s hard to see how Jones be considered worthy anytime soon.
It’s no sweat off Jones’ back, though. He’ll keep working and winning games in Kansas City. Not to mention that Jones is due for a contract extension that could place him neck-and-neck with Donald in terms of total value, guarantees and per-year average.
