The Green Bay Packers moved defensive end Datone Jones to outside linebacker a few weeks ago and that move appears to be paying dividends.
In the two games Jones has primarily played linebacker, he’s totaled five tackles and two sacks. That’s not setting the world on fire, but that’s huge production for Jones, who has largely been a bust since the Packers chose him in the first round of the 2013 draft.
In short, the Packers have created a mismatch. As you’ll see right here, Jones is going to draw a one-on-one matchup with a tight end. More times than not, he’ll be able to win that matchup.
#Packers Daniels fighting through dbls.. And w/ Datone Jones at standup OLB, he's getting TEs now. Big mismatch.. pic.twitter.com/JztjWsNdhX
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) November 29, 2015
Essentially, teams are being forced to make a decision. Block Jones with a lineman, a matchup they will probably win, or block him with a tight end, a matchup he will probably win.
If they choose the former, that means taking a double team off someone like Mike Daniels or B.J. Raji, etc.
Either way, it works in the Packers’ favor.
If only there was a way to create these type of mismatches on offense…