2015 Dolphins grades: Reshad Jones

The Miami Dolphins didn’t send Reshad Jones to the Pro-Bowl on votes but he got in as an alternate. Despite being a top three safety in the NFL, Jones’ being voted in may have had more to do with the Dolphins overall defensive performance.

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Reshad Jones – Safety

2016 salary – $8.2 million

Jones has developed into one of the best players on the Dolphins team on either side of the ball. He has been a major impact on the defense and has excelled in coverage, stopping the run, and getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Profootballfocus rated Jones the 13th best player at his position with a 71.4 pass coverage rating and a 74.7 run defense rating. Where Jones really impresses is in pass rush where he came in just under 81. Jones finished his 2015 season with 135 total tackles, 103 of those solo. He added two sacks and five interceptions with two of those returned for touchdowns.

Jones seemed to be everywhere on the field and it seemed that he was involved with every tackle made no matter the location. At least it appeared that way. Jones plays both physical and technical on every play and it’s the reason he is by far the best player on the defensive side of the ball.

Jones is scheduled to make $8 million in 2016 and another $8 million in 2017 but the Dolphins may want to convert some of that money to guarantees and lower his cap hit heading into the off-season. Jones is still young enough for the Dolphins to get him a contract that will keep him in Miami for more than the next two years and if his play continues at the level it is at now, then his contract will eventually get too high for the Dolphins to keep. Restructuring now would be a good move for the Dolphins. He is only 27 years old.

2015 grade – A

Why an “A”? 

There is no reason to give him anything but an “A” grade. He was by far the best player on defense and the most consistent. If the Dolphins can find a suitable playmaker to play along side of him, Jones will only get better.