When it comes to premier defensive linemen in the NFL, Kansas City's Chris Jones has consistently been near the top for a handful of years. His pass rush production has led to many momentum swings for the Chiefs. That is especially true in big games. Additionally, Jones can add a jolt by batting down the passes at the line of scrimmage or by muddying up the backfield by knocking down his opponent upfront.
Chris Jones has come close before. Though, the star defensive tackle has yet to win Defensive Player of the Year. Jones was named a finalist for the award in 2022. But with Nick Bosa winning the award in a landslide, the Chiefs defender only received one vote from the Associated Press. Jones had 15.5 sacks and did not miss a game that season. That sack total also tied his career-best mark, which he had hit in 2018.
Defensive Tackle Sits Behind Handful of Defensive Ends
If you look at the routine play of Chris Jones, you may be a bit stunned to see that he is not in the top five in betting odds for Defensive Player of the Year. Along with that, the gap from five to his name on the odds for this award is a little surprising as well.
According to FanDuel, Micah Parsons is the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year honors, holding +500 odds. Myles Garrett, last year's winner of the award, sits narrowly behind him at +600 odds. TJ Watt (+750 odds), Maxx Crosby (+1000 odds), and the aforementioned Bosa (+1000 odds) round out the top five. Sitting just beyond the top five is Aidan Hutchinson at +1400 odds.
Chris Jones currently sits seventh in Defensive Player of the Year odds at FanDuel. Sitting at +2500, it was somewhat jarring to see that much of a gap between those pass rushers and him. He is the first defensive tackle to be listed on the odds leaderboard. However, that number indicates that it may take a near 20-sack season for Jones to win the award.
Could Chiefs Personnel Changes Help Jones' Chances?
After freshly signing a new contract extension this offseason, Chris Jones is going to have more chances to pin his ears back this season. That is perhaps going to give him more opportunity to rush the passer than he did last season. With Kansas City possibly improving on offense, the style of games that the Chiefs could find themselves in may present increased passing attempts from the opponent.
It may not be as wild as 2018 levels. But, the Chiefs can certainly attack teams with speed via their offense this season. That was not there last year when the defense put a stranglehold on everyone. Do the offensive personnel changes help Chris Jones and his chances for Defensive Player of the Year? Either way, the odds make Jones more intriguing as a pick, given how far he is pushed down on the odds leaderboard.