Broncos sign DL D.J. Jones to three-year, $30M deal

The Broncos made last week’s biggest splash but went through a dormant Monday. They are making a move Monday, however, in signing former 49ers defensive lineman D.J. Jones.

Jones agreed to a three-year, $30M deal with Denver, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Breaking through during his contract year, Jones will collect a nice payday. The Broncos are guaranteeing the interior D-lineman $20M.

This addition will essentially take the place of Shelby Harris, whom the Broncos included in their Russell Wilson trade. Harris was attached to a $9M-per-year deal. A former sixth-round pick, Jones displayed considerable promise during his contract year. The Ole Miss alum started 17 games for San Francisco and registered 10 tackles for loss. The 49ers used Jones as a 46-game starter over the past three seasons, during which time the inside defender recorded seven sacks and 21 TFLs. Jones added a sack, during the 49ers’ five-sack game against the Cowboys, in the playoffs earlier this year.

At 27, Jones is nearly four years younger than Harris. He will team with Dre’Mont Jones, who is going into a contract year, and nose tackle Mike Purcell on the Broncos’ D-line. D.J. Jones is the only member here acquired or extended during George Paton‘s GM tenure.