Kansas City Chiefs: 7 players who could make the Pro Bowl for the first time
By Matt Conner
Chris Jones
Chris Jones is trending in the right direction here, so it only seems like a matter of time before the Chiefs defensive lineman is named to his first ever Pro Bowl.
Some people predicted the same thing last year based on how dominant he looked in stretches during his rookie campaign in 2016. Jones came on strong toward the end of that year with dominant flashes that would disrupt the line and get after the quarterback. Last year, he took another step forward in terms of consistency, and the stat book also showed it with 32 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 7 passes defended and 4 forced fumbles. He was, at times, a one-man wrecking crew.
This year, he’s going to have to make another step forward as team leader. The mentors are gone in Dontari Poe and then Bennie Logan. Jones is now a veteran on a team with Breeland Speaks, Derrick Nnadi and Tanoh Kpassagnon. Pro Football Focus already believes he’s “on the cusp of elite status,” and we’d be silly not to agree.