5 toughest defensive players 49ers will face in 2022
By Peter Panacy
49ers tough opponent No. 4: DT Chris Jones, Chiefs
Just like how Aaron Donald blew up San Francisco’s chances to stave off elimination in the 2022 NFC Championship game, Chris Jones essentially blew up Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers’ attempts to snatch victory from the jaws of victory in the Super Bowl back in February of 2020.
Unluckily for the Niners, they get to reunite against Jones again this season when they play hosts to Kansas City in Week 7.
For whatever reason, the Chiefs moved Jones outside for the first half of 2021 with less-than-successful results. This didn’t play to his biggest strengths, and it was smart to put him back on the inside for the second half of the year, which helped him get six of his nine total sacks over the latter stretch of the season.
That was the correct move here, and one could make a sound argument Kansas City’s defense turned a page once Jones moved back inside.
While KC’s defense might not be the prolific unit in contrast to some of the other tough defenses San Francisco will face on its NFL schedule in 2022, Jones already showed why he can be such a game-changing force.
The 49ers found this out the hard way in the Super Bowl, and there’s a good chance they find out again in Week 7.