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Chris Jones rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

By Russell S. Baxter

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 22: Brian Burns #53 of the Carolina Panthers walks off the field after a loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 22: Brian Burns #53 of the Carolina Panthers walks off the field after a loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

1. Carolina Panthers

It’s a team that fell apart after a promising start this past year. The surprising Carolina Panthers owned a 5-2 record after eight games and looked like they may press the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South. But the season ended with a thud as the club dropped its final eight contests and look bad in many of those setback.

It was also the end of the line for head coach Ron Rivera, who was dismissed after a Week 13 home loss to the Washington Redskins. And when the season was all said and done, the once-proud Carolina defense had dropped to 23rd in the league in total yards allowed while only three teams in the NFL allowed more rushing yards per game (143.5 average) this past season.

And that’s where Jones could come in extremely handy. Although he knows his way to the quarterback, he’s an excellent combination when it comes to pressuring the passer and stopping the run. A year ago, Carolina defenders came up with a solid 53 sacks. First-round draft choice Brian Burns (7.5 sacks) and free-agent addition Gerald McCoy (5) were big contributors to that cause. The latter could be one and done with the club as free agency is on the horizon.

More fansided.com: NFL power rankings: 2020 edition – Chiefs at No. 1

So could the Panthers look to make a splash under new head coach Matt Rhule and add the likes of Jones? The defense will no long have retired middle linebacker Luke Kuechly and this is a unit that already needs as much help as it can get.

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