The Carolina Panthers are getting some selfless production from veteran defensive tackle DaQuan Jones this season.
Others might be getting more headlines, but the Carolina Panthers continue to benefit from what is turning out to be an exceptional addition to the defensive line.
DaQuan Jones wasn’t the flashiest name acquired by the organization last spring. But few can deny the impact he continues to have for a Panthers defense that is proving one of the league’s most dominant across the board.
This is something Jones has been renowned for of late. The interior lineman was a prominent figure in the Tennessee Titans‘ rise from also-rans to potential Super Bowl challengers under Mike Vrabel, which wasn’t enough for the player to earn an extended stay with the franchise.
Their loss was Carolina’s gain.
Jones signed a one-year deal worth $4.05 million as the Panthers looked to replicate the production provided by former Pro Bowler Kawann Short before two injury-plagued seasons that eventually led to his early release.
Although Jones might not be filling up the stat sheer significantly. When one looks a little closer, the Penn State product is doing the dirty things well and providing the Panthers with a contribution that is getting overlooked in terms of importance.
One primary example of this came on a fourth down at the Arizona Cardinals. After a late adjustment call by linebacker Jermaine Carter to shift Jones, which led to a sensational stand from the front seven during a crucial stage of the contest.
Here’s Jones on an interior rush. Watch him get rid of the guard and put pressure on Colt McCoy. pic.twitter.com/ABhABfSA7i
— Unnecessary Bluntness Owner/Coach/QB (@DuncOnDemand) November 16, 2021
DaQuan Jones is a key cog in the Carolina Panthers defense.
Jones just eats space. Commanding this sort of attention is a key component of Carolina’s resurgence on defense, giving the likes of Haason Reddick, Brian Burns, and Derrick Brown more space to do damage.
The defensive tackle has played in 58 percent of the team’s snaps this season. Jones has been kept fresh for early downs thanks to his supreme talent against the run, which is a luxury Carolina has thanks to the encouraging progress of both Yetur Gross-Matos and Bravvion Roy as the campaign’s gone on.
We are now heading into the most pivotal part of the season. The return of Cam Newton has given everyone associated with the Panthers a new lease of life, so if the defense can continue this exciting trend moving forward and the quarterback gets things done on the field, a potential playoff spot might not be far behind.
Jones will continue to play a big role. But whether his time in Carolina lasts beyond the current campaign is another matter entirely.
The player is out of contract in 2022 and the Panthers have plenty of talent looking for extensions. Much will depend on the financial demands Jones’ representatives are after, but it would be wise for Carolina’s front office to try and keep him around in some capacity.
That’s a future problem. The Panthers are focusing on the now and if Jones continues this selfless production over the remaining seven games, the results could be significant.
There were plenty of misses by the Panthers in terms of recruitment this offseason. Thankfully, Jones proved one of the best and it’s benefitting the player and those around him.
Jones is a stud, there’s no getting away from it.
And the Panthers need him at the peak of his powers in order to achieve their objectives in the coming weeks.