Ranking 49ers’ Nick Bosa, NFC West’s 4 other top pass-rushers
By Peter Panacy
No. 5: EDGE Chandler Jones, Arizona Cardinals
2020 Stat Line: 11 tackles, 7 QB hits, 1 sack
Based on his 2020 numbers alone, Arizona Cardinals EDGE Chandler Jones wouldn’t seem like a candidate to grace this list.
But that would completely ignore the biceps injury Jones suffered last year that limited him to just five games. The year prior, Jones amassed a whopping 19 sacks while having a league-leading eight forced fumbles en route to his third Pro Bowl nod and second first-team All-Pro selection.
That’s the kind of prowess Arizona is hoping to get back in 2021.
The Cardinals’ leading sack specialist last year, linebacker Haason Reddick, is a free agent this offseason. Yet Reddick assumed that accolade largely because of Jones’ injury issue last season.
Now, with J.J. Watt joining the fold, all one needs to do is look at Jones being the prolific force he was back between 2016 and 2019.
Jones still ranks somewhat low on this list, although being in the top five isn’t bad. Yet the No. 5 spot goes to him because there are still going to be some doubts surrounding just how effective the 31-year-old veteran will be after being set back with his injuries last season.
Still, Jones’ prowess on the field can’t be understated, and he’s likely to have quite the bounce-back campaign in 2021.