Vikings To Host Datone Jones

Having already met with running back Eddie Lacy, the Vikings are now set to visit with another Packers free agent. This time, it will be defensive end/linebacker Datone Jones, who will take a meeting with Minnesota today, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.Datone Jones (vertical)

Jones, 26, spent the 2016 campaign playing outside linebacker in Green Bay’s 3-4 front after playing the early part of his career as a defensive end. The Vikings run a 4-3 scheme, meaning Jones almost certainly wouldn’t stick at linebacker. More likely, he’d return to end, or perhaps even play as a three-technique defensive tackle (Jones is listed as 6’4″, 283 pounds).

A former first-round pick, Jones is on the free agent market because the Packers declined his 2017 fifth-year option. Through four seasons with Green Bay, Jones appeared in 59 games but only started seven contests.

In 2016, Jones posted one sack and 22 tackles on 548 defensive snaps, grading as the league’s No. 61 edge defender among 109 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. PFR ranked Jones as the ninth-best free agent edge defender heading into the offseason.

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