Hungry Newcomer Will Debut in Vikings-Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens acquired outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones before Tuesday’s trade deadline this week from the Tennessee Titans, and wouldn’t you know it? His first game as a Raven will occur against the Minnesota Vikings.
When the Vikings and Ravens do battle on Sunday, one newcomer defender will make his maiden voyage appearance for the other purple team.
Baltimore will waste absolutely no time working Jones into the mix, so all variations of purple fans will see him at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday.
Dre’Mont Jones to Suit Up Sunday for Ravens at Vikings
That didn’t take long at all.
Ravens HC John Harbaugh Says Jones Will Play
Wondering if Jones is in the mix this weekend at Minnesota? The answer is yes.
Harbaugh said Thursday, “We absolutely will get him weaved into the game plan right away, and he’ll be playing on Sunday. He’s a good fit for us. The system he’s been in for the last three years is the same system that we have, so he picks it up quickly there. And he’s a really good fit, just style of play-wise.”
The response doesn’t leave much to imagination; Jones will be there Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium in living color.
The Trade
On November 3rd, one day before the league deadline, Baltimore shipped a conditional 5th-Round pick to Tennessee for Jones, who figures to make an instant impact on Harbaugh’s team.
Tennessee was heading nowhere fast, even firing head coach Brian Callahan this season, and used the trade deadline to begin another semblance of a rebuild.
The Ravens swooped, grabbing Jones and hoping to turn around a defense that played terribly during the first month and a half of 2025.
Jones’ Career Resume
Here’s Jones’ Pro Football Focus resume through eight seasons:
- 2025: 64.5
- 2024: 54.3
- 2023: 61.7
- 2022: 51.8
- 2021: 57.8
- 2020: 74.7
- 2019: 66.9
He’s usually good for about 4-6 sacks per season and has started 61 games in the NFL, while appearing in 99 games in total.
His NFL resume:
- Denver Broncos (2019–2022)
- Seattle Seahawks (2023–2024)
- Tennessee Titans (2025)
- Baltimore Ravens (2025–present)
Denver selected Jones in Round 3 of the 2019 NFL Draft, the same day Minnesota discovered running back Alexander Mattison and tight end Irv Smith Jr.
The Impact?
Besides rookie Mike Green and veteran David Ojabo, Baltimore doesn’t have a barrage of EDGE defenders — probably why it made the deal for Jones in the first place. Adisa Isaac and Tavius Robinson are on injured reserve, so Jones should be in line for immediate and ample duty.
Meanwhile, it’s go-time for the Ravens. At 3-5, they cannot afford more midseason losses and must move to 4-5 this Sunday to remain in the Wildcard playoff chase.
Expect Jones to play frequently this weekend and beyond.
SI.com on Jones
Josh Reed noted on Jones this week, “He’ll be a welcomed addition to what has been a much-maligned pass rush who brings more juice, proven pedigree and production as a pass rusher and schematic flexibility options because of his unique blend of size, strength and athletics.”
“Even though they’re currently two games under .500 and the Pittsburgh Steelers are 5-3 and coming off an upset win over the AFC-leading Indianapolis Colts, the odds of the Ravens winning the AFC North for the third year in a row remain high given their favorable schedule and the fact that Lamar Jackson is back in the lineup.”
Jones will turn 29 in January.
Reed added, “Prior to landing in Baltimore, Jones was on a heater in Tennessee when it came to sack production, with 4.5 in his last four games after having none through the first five. His total is already more than double the Ravens’ two sack leaders, both of whom are on injured reserve in third-year outside linebacker Tavius Robinson and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike with 2 apiece.”
“Jones has recorded 4-plus sacks every season dating back to his second in the league after notching 3 as a rookie. He said the Ravens are getting a player who is “physical as hell” and is going to attack every play like it’s his last, as he has no intentions of breaking his consecutive games with a sack streak.”
The Vikings are expected to lose to Jones, Harbaugh, and the Ravens by four or five points, according to sportsbooks.
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