FA Fits: Ben Jones Would Solidify Vikings iOL
K. Joudry
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As some of you know, I think Garrett Bradbury is a goner. The former first-round pick is a bust, so his days in purple are likely numbered. Count on at least one or two teams being interested because of his high draft slot and scheme fit. Moving on from Bradbury would mean the Vikings have a need at center, and that’s where Ben Jones comes in.
The Vikings and Ben Jones
I’m enthusiastic about adding Austin Corbett. I’m also enthusiastic about Jones.
The Tennessee center consistently receives strong grades from PFF. His 2019, 2020, and 2021 grades have him ranked as the 2nd, 5th, and 8th-best center in the NFL. When’s the last time Minnesota had a top-10 center for three consecutive years?
Part of what makes him so appealing is the projected cost and scheme fit. PFF predicts he’ll command a 3-year, $6.67 million per year deal. It’s a more than worthwhile investment; for context, Bradbury will get paid nearly $4.1 million in 2022.
Now take a look at how he’d fit the scheme:
STARTING CENTER IN ZONE-HEAVY SCHEME: Battle-tested and reliable, Jones is one of the better starting centers in the league. He does his best work in the zone running game, but he’s capable of playing in any system and he has experience playing guard if needed.
Kevin O’Connell will, in all likelihood, be leaning on the zone running scheme. The belief is that he’ll be able to adjust the system that Minnesota already has in place rather than completely reinvente the offensive wheel. For this reason, bringing Ben Jones aboard appears to make sense for the Vikings.
True, he’s a touch older than one would hope. He is nearing 33-years-old, so his best days are probably behind him. Nevertheless, he could provide strong play in the short-to-intermediate-term for a team that is looking to compete within that time frame.
Furthermore, Jones has been durable. He has started every game during the past two seasons. The rest of his career is similarly impressive in terms of his availability to his team. From 2015-2019, he played 100% of his team’s snaps on offense.
Closing Statement
As I’ve often remarked, so much will depend on the dollars and cents.
From the outside looking in, Ben Jones appears to be a great fit for the Vikings. Perhaps the team will opt for a cheaper option, though. One could also understand if they’re looking for someone a tad more youthful.
Until we know for sure, keep an eye Jones. He has played well for the Titans, and it’s plausible he could do similarly excellent work for the Vikings.
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