At OLB, I believe we need 3 starters plus a developing Fackrell and maybe Elliot; Clay and Datone would be solid to great as 2. But, we need one more [Connor Barwin, if Perry gets overpaid].
On Jones you go by sacks, I WATCHED Jones play after dropping some weight and going through his FIRST camp at OLB. My grades show he took a huge leap the last 6 games of the season, he was outstanding v. Detroit. There is no question that Jones is ascending as an OLB.
But, let’s consider ALL the stats, not just sacks.
Ingram had: 8 sacks, 29 pressures, 6 stuffs, 46 tackles, 14 assists, 5 passes defended, 5 FF in 2016 on 959 snaps.
Adjusting so Jones had 959 snaps: 2 sacks, 29 pressures; 4 stuffs; 4 PD; 35 tackles 10 assists [Actual: 1 sack, 14 pressures; 2 stuffs; 2 PD; 17 tackles 5 assists on 461 snaps]. If we take his stats the last 4 games and adjust those to 959 snaps; he beats/ties Ingram in every stats category but FFs.
These stats and my grades demonstrate Jones was not Ingram, but was not too far behind in 2016. His deficiencies were in the run game; though at times he was unblockable. As far as disrupting the QB he was quite good and outstanding in his last 6 reg. season games.
And on Clay’s deal: To say Ted signed him to a great deal by pointing to the contract’s 1st year 6M cap figure is just as silly as pointing to his 15M cap figure this year and saying he’s overpaid. The reality is we got Clay for 2 years 11M per; this is not an overpay, if Collins is worth 12.5M per.