Cardinals LB Chandler Jones voted 85th in NFL Network’s top-100 players
May 1, 2017, 7:04 PM | Updated: May 2, 2017, 7:45 am
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones, left, hits Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford as he tries to pass during the second half of an NFL football game, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)
(AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)
The production didn’t wane much from his final year in New England to his first in Arizona, but Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones fell 37 spots over the past two offseasons in NFL Network’s list of the top 100 players for 2017.
Jones was voted by his peers as the 85th-best player in this offseason’s list after being ranked as the 48th-best player heading into his debut season with Arizona. Jones backed up the NFL-wide respect by recording 49 tackles, including 11 sacks, to go with four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 2016.
“What? Chandler Jones had a good year? Shocking,” Packers defensive tackle Mike Daniels told NFL Network with a hint of sarcasm. “He’s like that guy who as a kid, everyone wants him on your team because he can just play ball. He clearly is having fun out there. He enjoys what he’s doing — it’s obvious. That’s why he makes the plays he makes.”
.@ChanJones55 has the third-most sacks in the @NFL over the past two seasons. #NFLTop100 pic.twitter.com/jkai0jdUEL
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) May 2, 2017
The 2016 season for Jones was on-par with his numbers posted in 2015 for the Patriots: 44 tackles, 12.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception.
Jones was a Pro Bowl alternate last season, and his production was strong enough to earn him a hefty five-year extension with Arizona that could reach $83 million in earnings.
As for the Cardinals, Jones is the team’s first representative to make NFL Network’s list, which will be released in groups of 10 over the course of the next few weeks.
Former Cardinals teammate Calais Campbell appeared just ahead of Jones at 83rd on the list. With Arizona last season, the 30-year-old Campbell registered 53 tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception.
Campbell credited some of his own success with playing next to the 27-year-old pass-rusher.
“Chandler is as good as they come,” Campbell told NFL Network. “He loves playing the game of football and rushing the passer, man. You need guys around you to be exceptional. I’ll miss playing with him.”
