Key Takeaways
- The Raiders signed defensive tackle Benito Jones on Wednesday, adding a veteran with 38 starts over the last three seasons between Miami and Detroit.
- Jones has existing chemistry with new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, who was an assistant defensive line coach with the Dolphins when Jones first entered the league.
- The move fills a critical void: the Raiders committed to a 3-4 base defense under Leonard, and the roster lacked a proven nose tackle.
- Brodric Martin was waived/injured to make room. The former third-round pick failed to carve out a role after joining the Raiders last season.
- At 335 pounds, Jones is a prototypical space eater designed to clog the middle of a 3-4 front.
The News
The Raiders have been hunting for an anchor to stabilize the middle of their new 3-4 defense. On Wednesday, they finally found their man.
Las Vegas signed veteran defensive tackle Benito Jones, a 6-foot-1, 335-pound interior presence who spent the last two seasons with the Miami Dolphins after two years with the Detroit Lions. The signing is no accident; Jones entered the league as an undrafted free agent in Miami in 2020, where new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard served as the Dolphins’ assistant defensive line coach. That existing rapport is a major win for a team needing immediate stability in the trenches.
Over the last three seasons, Jones has started 38 games. In his most recent campaign with Miami, he appeared in 14 games with eight starts, recording 15 tackles and one sack. His career totals include 83 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 10 tackles for loss.
The fit is a perfect match on paper. Under Leonard, the Raiders have pivoted to a 3-4 base, making the nose tackle the most critical role in the entire system. Without a true space eater, the rest of the front is exposed. Until now, the team had not addressed this need through free agency or the draft. Now, they have the body they need.
Brodric Martin is the casualty of the move. The former third-round pick by the Lions in 2022 was actually teammates with Jones in Detroit. Martin joined the Raiders last season but was unable to secure playing time. He was waived/injured on Wednesday, though the team has not disclosed the specifics of the injury.
WALK THE PLANK
A third-round pick who cannot get on the field does not survive long in the NFL. Brodric Martin found that out the hard way. He had the pedigree and the draft capital, but he could not produce on the grass. Jones, on the other hand, had zero draft capital and has been starting games since 2022. That is the brutal reality of the league: pedigree means nothing if you cannot stop the run.
The Jones signing also proves that GM John Spytek is done waiting for “potential” to materialize at the nose tackle position. He is bringing in experienced pros who can execute now while the younger players develop. While undrafted free agent Gary Smith III may push for a rotation spot, Jones was signed to start and occupy double-teams.
Rob Leonard knows exactly what he is getting: a nose tackle who fits the scheme, understands the demands of the position, and has performed at a high level for three years. For a team still searching for its defensive identity, this is a vital addition.
