The Pats traded up to the 21st pick in the 2012 draft to pick Chandler Jones.  According to Boston.com, he has played in 40 games and started 38; in his career, he has 105 tackles, 23.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, and 7 passes defensed.  He had 12.5 sacks this past season, and is only 25 years old.  The Pats picked up his 5th year option for next season, and will make about $7.8m.  The rumored reason for trade speculation is not primarily a character issue, although he was hospitalized recently for a bad reaction to supposed synthetic marijuana.  After the 2016 season, the Pats will have 4 high value free agents, and some speculate that Belichik will not pay the sky high value to the young pass rusher that he will command.  Also, Jabaal Sheard, a first year player, showed he may be a suitable replacement already on the roster.  Rather than get nothing when Jones hits free agency next season, trade him this year and pick up a high pick(s) that Belichick has shown to covet.  

 

If the Jags have the opportunity to use a high 2nd round pick, to acquire a young proven 6'5 260 pass rusher that has now developed better run stopping ability, I would do it in a heartbeat.  As mentioned, it would be great to get him to agree to a long term deal in this scenario.  I would look past the substance issue from an acquisition perspective, but would get his agent to agree to something that financially protects the team from any future substance issue.  Having Fowler and Jones as 3rd down bookends would not be a bad thing.        

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