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ESPN survey ranks Chris Jones as NFL’s fourth-best defensive tackle
Kansas City’s top defender has some bulletin board material heading into training camp
byRon Kopp Jr.
Jul 9, 2026, 5:45 PM UTC
It’s no surprise to Kansas City Chiefsfans to hear that defensive tackle Chris Jones is considered a top-5 player at his position, based on a survey of NFL “executives, coaches and scouts” conducted by ESPN writer Jeremy Fowler
But high up on the list, should he be? This survey ranked him No. 4, behind Leonard Williams of the Seattle Seahawks, Jeffery Simmons of the Tennessee Titans, and Jalen Carter of the Philadelphia Eagles
4. Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 10Age: 32 | Last year’s ranking: 2
Jones is heralded as an all-time Chief, and for good reason. He has made seven consecutive Pro Bowls and has had back-to-back-to-back All-Pro nods (2022 to 2024). But 2024’s top defensive tackle has slipped in the voting for the second consecutive year, which can be expected after 10 years in the league at a demanding position
“He’s still a guy you have to game-plan for, but you don’t feel him as much as you used to,” an NFL coordinator said. “He’s been one of the best for a long time.”
Jones still posted a 18.9% pass rush win rate — tops among defensive tackles — and 7.0 sacks in 2025. He led the league in pass-rush wins when double-teamed (22) and led interior linemen in pressures (45). Some evaluators thought Jones’ 728 snaps played in 2024 were too many and that Kansas City would benefit from reducing that number slightly to keep him fresh. Well, he played 762 snaps in 2025
Fowler indicates that at least one voter considered Jones the top defensive tackle in the NFL, but at least one other believes Jones is ranked as low as 10
It’s a slight drop-off for Jones, who ranked second in the same survey last year, but it’s a disrespectful note for Jones to put in his back pocket as the season approaches. One NFL coordinator told Fowler that “you don’t feel him as much as you used to,” regarding Jones’ impact on game plans
Jones hasn’t reached double-digit sacks since the 2023 season, but he still flashed dominance last year in the low-scoring losses, playing a key role in the team’s strongest defensive performances that kept games close
However, there were too many third and longs in which the defense failed to get off the field, including a memorable one to end the Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers: from the edge, Jones rushed inside instead of maintaining his rush lane, allowing quarterback Justin Herbert to scamper for a game-ending first down
To return to the top of the mountain for NFL minds, Jones will need to remind the football world of his dominance more consistently in 2026
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