49ers news: D.J. Jones returning on one-year deal, per report

The 49ers were able to figure out a way to retain their starting nose tackle, D.J. Jones, according to a report from NFL Network.

So much for nose tackle D.J. Jones being too expensive for the San Francisco 49ers to re-sign in NFL free agency.

Jones, the Niners’ sixth-round pick from the 2017 NFL Draft, is returning to the team that drafted him on a one-year deal.

This, according to a Wednesday report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport:

Jones has been a valuable part of San Francisco’s defensive line in three of his first four years at the pro level, starting a combined 25 games the last two years. And while injuries have partially thwarted his impact during that span, Jones still offers quite the presence in both run defense and the pass rush.

To date, Jones has 70 tackles to go along with five sacks, which isn’t always the case for a 1-technique player frequently playing on run-defense base formations.

49ers must have felt D.J. Jones was a massive upgrade over Kevin Givens

Jones’ injuries in 2020 helped open the door for another 49ers depth defensive lineman, Kevin Givens, who rose from the undrafted ranks the previous year into a quality rotational piece last season.

There was a reasonable argument Givens’ ascent made Jones a bit expendable, not unlike how Jones previously made former Niners defensive tackle Earl Mitchell expendable following the 2017 season.

But with Jones returning, it’s possible San Francisco experienced one of two scenarios:

1. It didn’t feel Givens was ready for a regularly featured role
2. Jones was willing to return on a relatively cheap one-year deal

Both could be plausible, too. After all, cornerback Jason Verrett inked a one-year, $5.3 million contract to stay with the 49ers after putting forth a Pro Bowl-caliber season in 2020. With the diminished salary cap this year a factor, it’s possible both he and Jones are banking on another strong effort this upcoming season to cash in on what would be a lucrative free-agent contract in 2021.

Regardless, there’s one clear bonus to retaining Jones. Givens can revert back to being a quality depth piece, while the Niners ensure one of their starters stays put.

Typically, nose tackles don’t receive the kind of money pass-rushing 3-technique players receive and certainly nothing close to quality edge rushers.

If that’s the case, Jones could be a cheap re-sign for San Francisco. And considering the team’s D-line depth needs heading into 2021, it’s certainly not the worst of situations.