CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland native Dre’Mont Jones, the free agent pass-rusher from the Broncos, has an opportunity this week to hit the trifecta of Ohio soccer: Saint Ignatius High School, Ohio State, and the Cleveland Browns, who’re fascinated about signing him.
“I’m pretty sure that’s a lot of Ohio kids’ dream come true,” Jones informed cleveland.com by cellphone on Saturday.
With groups allowed to pre-negotiate with free brokers starting Monday at midday, Jones will know over the following couple of days if he’s coming residence. He’s one in every of a number of defensive linemen on the Browns’ radar, and a supply informed cleveland.com that they’re anticipated to be “squarely in the mix” to land him.
“It’s really exciting,” Jones stated. “It’s an honor to have your hometown team be interested in you. So that alone, I appreciate it.”
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Despite all of the lean Browns years all through his lifetime, Jones remained a diehard fan.
“I’ve been a Browns fan all of my life, since zero up until I got to college,” he stated.
His household and pals could be over the moon if he landed again in The Land. His fast relations are all nonetheless Browns followers who prayed that John Dorsey would draft Jones in 2019. Beforehand, Jones’ dad, Sandy Williams informed clevelandbrowns.com that “I’d cry” if the Browns drafted his son, and his mother, Tina, and older brothers Dionte and Darrin had been simply as invested.
“That’s been our dream the entire time,” Dionte stated then “It was always the goal is to play for the Browns.”
Like everybody else in his technology, Jones, 26, was too younger to recollect the playoff season in 2002, and was already a Bronco when the following one rolled round in 2020. But he hung in there as one QB after one other bought added to the notorious jersey.
“I’m loyal,” he stated Saturday. “My family would be really excited. Just to have a family, friends, everybody who’s been involved with my life, I’m pretty damn sure they’d all become Cleveland (fans).”
It was his mother and father’ resolution to ship him to Saint Ignatius, the place he starred in each basketball and soccer, however he’ll eternally thank them for it.
“I loved Ignatius,” he stated. “The morals and values I took from Ignatius will always stick with me until the day I die. They embedded that tradition in their culture into my brain and into my soul, so I’m always kind of indebted to Ignatius in a way.”
He’s already heard from some fellow former Wildcats.
“I’ve had a few people hit me up, asking can I come back home,” he stated.
A four-star recruit, he’ll additionally at all times cherish his three years at Ohio State, the place he recorded 114 tackles, 58 solo, 22 for a loss and 9.5 sacks. In his last season in 2018 as a junior, he notched 43 tackles, 26 stable, 13 TFL, three pressured fumbles and a restoration for a TD.
“I’ve been an Ohio State fan since the time I think I was born,” he stated. “Before I even liked football, I just liked Ohio State. I will always forever love Ohio State.”
In his second-last season there, he roomed with Browns cornerback and fellow Cleveland native Denzel Ward, who was picked by the Browns at No. 4 total within the 2018 draft.
“It would be pretty cool (to be reunited),” Jones stated. “It would be back like old times, him playing outside and me rushing the passer.”
He’d additionally like to play up entrance with Myles Garrett, of whom he’s an enormous fan.
“That would be crazy good,” he stated. “I’ve only seen and heard good things about him on and off the field, so that’d be cool to have. I’ve been around some good players so it wouldn’t be anything new.”
Jones spent 2 1/2 years taking part in with and studying from future Hall of Famer and 8-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Von Miller. He additionally performed with two-time Pro Bowler edge-rusher Bradley Chubb and premier exterior linebacker Randy Gregory.
“I’m used to star players,” he stated. “My goal is to make not only my job easier, but their job easier too, especially (Garrett). He’ll probably have all all the spotlight, the attention when it comes to game planning. So if I’m there, my job would be to load the pressure off.”
Jones (6-3, 281) has averaged 5.5 sacks over his 4 seasons, and notched a career-high 6.5 in 2022. But he missed the ultimate 4 video games with a hip damage — all clear now — and has tons of upside potential.
“I’m still learning the game,” he stated. “Last year was my first real season of dealing with being a full-time starter without subbing. I had the room to myself basically. I just kind of got my feet wet with the whole process of being a full-time starter and I had 6.5 sacks but I definitely have more out there in the tank.”
Based on that lone season as a starter, Jones is assured he’s a perennial double-digit sacker.
“I definitely believe it,” he stated. “Even though the stats don’t say it, I believe I am.”
Jones, who performed 451 snaps at sort out final season and 224 at finish, could be an ideal slot in Jim Schwartz’ 4-3, Wide 9 scheme, wherein one or each of the ends typically line up further extensive. He can play inside and outside, and Schwartz would transfer him round to create favorable matchups. With the Browns needing assist at each sort out and finish, Jones could be a two-for-one discount, and would like to play for an attack-minded, defensive-lineman loving coach like Schwartz. All the massive males do.
“That plays a part into any decision-making you do,” Jones stated. “You look at what they have already, the coaching, the players. It’s all a part of the process of figuring out where you want to go. So him being there is huge for that defense. If I am there hopefully, I’ll be part of something great, but I can’t really say much until I figure out what I’m doing. I know he’s a hell of a coach, though.”
The likelihood to win a Super Bowl with Deshaun Watson at QB can also be engaging.
“It’s very important,” he stated. “You always want to go to a competitive team. But it’s also good to be part of a team that’s not good and you can be part of the reason why they become contenders too.”
Despite the barking aunts, uncles and cousins, the excited fellow Wildcats and the possibility to come back residence, Jones is attempting to assume together with his head and never his coronary heart as he heads into the free company frenzy on Monday, the place he’s anticipated to have a number of severe suitors.
“I’m treating this more from a business perspective,” he stated. “I’m not really putting any type of biases or outside factors really into any decision that I’ve got going on. I’m from Cleveland, but it doesn’t necessarily mean I’m all in on Cleveland. I’m open for every team.”
He’s desirous to see what Monday brings, when the telephones begin ringing at midday. By Wednesday, he’ll know if he’s again in The 216, which nonetheless matches the realm code of his cellphone.
“I’m not entirely sure what’s going to happen,” he stated. “I know there’s a whole bunch of teams that I guess have some interest in me. I’m pretty sure there are some sleeper teams I don’t know about. I’m just excited to see. I’m just curious.”
Jones hasn’t dominated out a return to the Broncos, the place he’s made his residence since 2019. With a brand new coach in Sean Payton, something can occur between now and Wednesday.
“I’m open for the Broncos,” he stated. “I’m open for every team. It can be anywhere. There’s no door closed for anybody. The Broncos are a team that I’ve been a part of for the past four seasons, and I appreciate them. I’m comfortable here. I have a great relationship here with this city and with this organization.”
With an estimated market worth of about $17.1 million a yr in accordance with Spotrac, Jones is aware of that is his likelihood to seize the brass ring.
“The whole point of this is maximizing myself and my potential and my opportunities,” he stated. “I’ve just go to in there with an open heart. Any personal biases have to be taken out of it.”
In the meantime, his household might be chanting “OH-IO” and “Here we go Brownies.”
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