Inside linebacker Deion Jones has signed with the New Orleans Saints on a 1-year deal as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Jones is an LSU product who was born and raised in New Orleans but spent his best years in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons. He made 100+ tackles in every full season he played and was also named to the Pro Bowl in 2017. During his rookie year, Jones helped the Falcons reach the Super Bowl and recorded nine tackles and a forced fumble in the game. The Falcons would ultimately blow a 28-3 lead in the second half and fall short of their first championship.
Jones now returns to his hometown after spending the last two seasons in Tampa Bay, and before that also had stints in Carolina and Cleveland. Since leaving Atlanta he has been more of a rotational piece than every down player, partially due to injury issues. Despite this Jones is a talented player who should be a more than serviceable backup/sub for Kaden Elliss and Pete Werner on the Saints defense. He will also provide a veteran presence at a position where most of the players beside Werner and Elliss are in their first or second season in the league. Jones is now the first player in NFL history to play for every team in the NFC South and could possibly make his debut in Week 1 of the preseason against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 15th.
