An injury to Charles Omenihu revealed the Kansas City Chiefs’ lack of depth at defensive end. The team needs to bring in several potential contributors along the line to help boost the defense’s production, especially considering the offense’s recent struggles. The 2025 NFL Draft should give the Chiefs a chance to reload.
LSU Tigers defensive lineman Sai’vion Jones primarily aligns as a 4-tech in a three-point stance or a 5-tech in a two-point stance for the Tigers. His muscular frame and long arms stick out on tape. According to Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy, Jones’s verified height and weight are 6’4 3/4″, 280 lbs., making him one of the few defenders in the class capable of playing defensive end or outside linebacker.
Jones’ pass rush plan is a work in progress. He lacks the bend to win around the corner consistently and doesn’t deploy hand counters to revive his rush once the offensive tackle gets into his frame. However, his foundation makes him a valuable Day 3 developmental option.
Jones uses club-swims, long-arms, pull-swims, rips, spins and two-handed swipes to pressure the quarterback. He counters into the B-gap when offensive tackles overset and is starting to develop secondary rush moves to keep himself alive late in plays.
LSU DE Saivion Jones w/ his 2nd sack of the night. https://t.co/mD5mygar9j pic.twitter.com/hPoheUZx1Z
— Lonn Phillips Sullivan (@LonnPhillips) September 2, 2024
Jones’ arm length helps him stack and shed blocks as a run defender. He pries up the offensive lineman’s pad level to win the leverage battle and hold the point of attack. Jones sets a nice edge to prevent outside runs and separates from blockers with good timing to pursue the ball.
The Tigers finished their season 8-4 and qualified for a bowl game. Whether or not Jones plans to play in that game is unknown. Jones and LSU teammates Zy Alexander, Greg Penn III, and Bradyn Swinson have committed to attending the East-West Shrine Bowl, an all-star event for top draft-eligible prospects in late January.
