Byron Jones is set to hit the open free agency market this offseason and there are quite a few teams around the league that will have a ton of interest in him. The Dallas Cowboys may not be able to afford to keep him, which will allow him to sign elsewhere. One team that would make a lot of sense is the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden will be on a mission to add more talent to the roster this offseason. They are entering a new era of football in Las Vegas and were competitive in 2019 all the way up to the final week of the season.
Pro Football Focus has projected that the Raiders will end up signing Jones.
In 2018, the Raiders ranked dead last in EPA per pass allowed. In 2019, the Raiders ranked dead last in EPA per pass allowed. If I had to guess what Jon Gruden says to that, it’s “something’s gotta give, man.” The good news is, they have money in the bank to pay for one of the top defensive backs hitting the open market — and there isn’t a cornerback better in this free agency pool than Byron Jones.
Jones put together a decent season in 2019 with the Cowboys. He recorded 46 total tackles to go along with one forced fumble and six defended passes. The lack of an interception is a concern to some, but he still has a ton of room to grow.
At 27 years old, Jones would be a worthwhile long-term investment for the Raiders. On a four-year deal, the Raiders would be taking a big step on the defensive side of the ball. This is the kind of move that could spur a playoff run.
Expect to see the Raiders look to make a few moves this offseason. Jones is a name to keep an eye on in free agency.
