Is Chiefs’ Chris Jones better for Seahawks than Jags’ Yannick Ngakoue?

Apr 17, 2020, 12:08 PM | Updated: Apr 21, 2020, 11:25 am

Is Chiefs DT Chris Jones a good trade candidate for the Seahawks? (Getty)

(Getty)

Seattle Sports

When looking at pass rushers aside from Jadeveon Clowney that would improve the Seahawks’ defensive line after a disappointing 2019, one of the first names that comes up is Yannick Ngakoue of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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Ngakoue, who turned 25 last month, has four seasons of 8 or more sacks and after the Jaguars gave him the franchise tag, he has made it abundantly clear that he wants out of Jacksonville. And with the Seahawks needing to improve a pass rush that had just 28 sacks last season and not yet reaching a deal with Clowney, Ngakoue seems like a good fit, though he would likely require a long-term deal before agreeing to sign his tender so he could be traded.

But is he the best trade candidate for the Seahawks? Paul Gallant of 710 ESPN Seattle’s Danny and Gallant wondered if Seattle would be better off trading for Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones, who also received the franchise tag and according to Chiefs general manager Brett Veach, the expected deadline for getting a long-term deal done with the star lineman is July 15.

“I’d be willing to trade more (for Jones) than I would for Yannick Ngakoue and I would be willing to give Chris Jones a long-term contract, perhaps more (money) than I’d be willing to give anyone outside of Clowney,” Gallant told co-host Danny O’Neil. “If the Seahawks want to make a phone call about it, why not?”

While Jones, who had 15.5 sacks in 2018 and 9 in 2019 while also knocking down multiple passes in Kansas City’s Super Bowl win, would improve any defense, he doesn’t address the Seahawks’ biggest need.

“He’s not an edge rusher, though,” O’Neil said. “You’ve got some guys in the middle and I think (Seahawks general manager John Schneider) has shown an ability to find guys moderately priced who are capable in the middle. They’re not as good as Chris Jones. Chris Jones is an elite player, but he’s looking for $20 million.”

Seattle re-signed defensive tackle Jarran Reed, who had 10.5 sacks in 2018, to a two-year deal in free agency. Seattle also has starter Poona Ford back for 2020. That’s a solid starting duo, especially compared to defensive end, which doesn’t have any big names to speak of.

“I feel pretty good about their interior,” O’Neil said. “My entire question about them is where’s your outside pass rush? Where’s the guy that comes off the edge? The guy that is Chris Clemons or Cliff Avril – someone who really does have that speed rush on the outside. Because I don’t think (2019 first-round defensive end) L.J. Collier, even if he’s a success, I don’t think he’s that kind of player, and I don’t know who they have. (2019 Seahawks sack leader) Rasheem Green, maybe because he’s still really young.”

While Jones may not be an edge rusher, he is extremely effective at rushing the quarterback. Additionally, he helps in another way.

“The guy creates pass rush, but more importantly, we sometimes forget that the pass defense wasn’t the only issue for the Seahawks this season,” Gallant said “Their run defense wasn’t particularly good, either. If you bring in a guy like this, I think it helps your exterior pass rush, maybe not a whole lot, but also it definitely helps out your run-stuffing ability and the idea of a one-two (punch) of Chris Jones and Jarran Reed who maybe gets back to what he was two years ago. That’s a very intimidating interior two defensive linemen.”

Pick one: Clowney, Jones or Ngakoue

If the Seahawks were to pay Clowney, Jones or Ngakoue, which would O’Neil prefer?

“If you don’t have to trade draft picks to pay any of them, it’s Yannick Ngakoue,” he said. “Ngakoue has had consistent sack numbers from the outside and that guy has had, in his four seasons, he’s had more than 8 sacks each of those four years. There’s a consistency to that production and I think he fits what you need because you don’t have anyone right now that is ‘we’re gonna line him up outside and he is our consistent edge/speed rusher ad we’re going to count on him and believe that he’s going to get double-digit sacks.'”

“I think he more than any of those three fits that spot that Seattle not only doesn’t have anyone for right now,” O’Neil added. “But I can’t see them finding that necessarily in the draft or sifting through the ‘leftover bin’ in free agency.”

Listen to the full conversation at this link or in the player below.

Follow 710 ESPN Seattle’s Danny O’Neil and Paul Gallant on Twitter.