Mile High Report
The defensive end out of LSU can play edge, on the inside or on the end: ‘I can play across the line.’
When the Broncos traded up in the third round of the NFL Draft to grab LSU’s Sai’vion Jones, the NFL world thought they were drafting a defensive end.
But the 6-foot-6, 280-pound Louisiana native had other ideas.
“When you pick me, you’re drafting a couple of players,” he said. “I’m not just an edge player. I can play a 4-line, a 3-line…I can play across the line. I felt like that’s the reason why they felt like I was a person they should draft.”
Dane Brugler of The Athletic said in his scouting report that Jones can affect the quarterback or work down the line as a run defender.
“He is at his best when relying on his long levers to work through contact and affect the quarterback or working down the line as a run defender. ...he plays long, strong and persistent as a downhill force player against both pass and run.”
Broncos’ GM George Paton concurred with that assessment, saying Jones has flexibility for their system.
“He kind of fits our mold of defensive line,” Paton said. “He’ll play [defensive] end for us, but he has flexibility down the line of scrimmage. This guy is long. He’s strong [and] plays with really good leverage. Then he’s improving as a rusher. You could see that throughout the season.”
Wherever he plays, Jones is no-nonsense about his plan coming in as a rookie.
“The main impression I want to leave is just that I’m a guy that came here to work,” he said. “I’m going there to make a name for myself. I want to be able to be a respectable player amongst everybody and I just want to be able to earn that starting role.”
Based on what the Broncos’ brass found at the Senior Bowl, Jones will have a good chance of earning that starting role soon enough.
“I think what sticks out with him is just how hard he plays,” Paton said. “The motor—he goes 110 miles per hour every play, so he fits in with our group. He’ll have time to develop as well as he has good guys in front of him.”
Jones is definitely excited about that. Playing with the group who earned the most sacks in the NFL last season is a pretty great place to start your NFL career.
“It’s amazing because not only am I going to get some of the best coaching, I’m also going to get some of the best experience from the D-line group. Like you said, they had the most sacks in the country, and it doesn’t get better than that when it comes to D-line and how things work.”
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