Hightower's 5th year option picked up. Jones' likely to be next.

ProFootballTalk ‏@ProFootballTalk 4m4 minutes ago
Also on the fifth-year option front, the Patriots will extend LB Dont'a Hightower for another season, per source.
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He was a no-brainer. He has improved immensely since his rookie year.

Jones still hasn't reached his full potential, yet. Although already good, i believe he could be elite

EDIT: Now with a proper (PFT) link:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/29/pats-to-extend-hightowers-deal-for-a-fifth-year/

it is also said here: "The Patriots also are likely to pick up the fifth-year option for defensive end Chandler Jones, the 21st pick in 2012."

Hightower will be 2nd all-pro this season

Before the 2014 season I was a bit on the edge of whether we should pick up his 5th year option. He wasn't bad before, but the option isn't exactly cheap. But already after the first game against the Dolphins he showed that it was an absolute no brainer.

It would be stupid not to pick up Jones' option. It is only guaranteed for injury. Maybe they are trying to get a long term deal done with him. I think they can get him cheaper than Hightower at this point and Hightower is probably going to try to bet on himself to get a top deal at his position.

Good

This story broke the same time as Tannehill's option. Tannehill and Hightower have the same agent. Tannehill and Hightower's agent would not be able to tell Florio the status of Jones' option.

glad bb did this.

Nice. Chandler up next I would guess.

James Christensen @NEPatriotsDraft
Dont'a Hightower was amazing with one arm in 2014/15. Ready for the upgraded version this coming year.

JDot said:

Nice. Chandler up next I would guess.

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yup...unless long term deal

Becoming one of my favorite players. (if not already)

I hope they get a long term deal worked out eventually and he stays healthy for a great career.

JDot said:

Nice. Chandler up next I would guess.

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I'm not completely sold on him, to be honest.

TBR said:

I'm not completely sold on him, to be honest.

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What are your concerns?

I am sold on Jones. Sold on "what he is". Solid player with some weaknesses, but the potential for the big sack if needed. I think you sign him long-term if you don't need to break the bank.

robertweathers said:

What are your concerns?

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Part of not wanting to extend Chandler Jones is money concerns combined with his production. I'd rather the Pats use the money on Hightower and Collins.

In regards to Jones himself, he hasn't really lived up to his 1st round pick status, IMO. Not much of a game changer. Inconsistent and disappears at times.

7 post-season games, 1 sack

10 games last year, 3 hurries, 6 sacks. I expected more, especially with such a strong secondary to give him more time

Good for Hightower. He earned it.

TBR said:

Part of not wanting to extend Chandler Jones is money concerns combined with his production. I'd rather the Pats use the money on Hightower and Collins.

In regards Jones himself, he hasn't really lived up to his 1st round pick status, IMO. Not much of a game changer. Inconsistent and disappears at times.

7 post-season games, 1 sack

10 games last year, 3 hurries, 6 sacks

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My bad. I misread the response. I thought you were referring to HT.

I agree. I think Jones is a good player. The 5th yr option for him is ~$7.5m. Is he a big money edge rusher? I think he is still improving but I would not put him at an all-pro level

Love Hightower, he's really been a great player these past few years. He deserves more national recognition.

Rob0729 said:

It would be stupid not to pick up Jones' option. It is only guaranteed for injury.

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Jones' 8m dollar (approx) salary becomes fully guaranteed in early March, on the first day of the new league year. Let's hope they get an extension done with one or both, because absorbing 15.5m dollars worth of 2016 cap hits for the two would suck.

This can't possibly be true. I have been told many times by "knowledgeable" people here that he was a total bust his rookie year, and not much better the next. They explained to me that players never improve from your first impression. That when they have to undergo position changes they should just instantaneously adapt.

I'm fairly certain that very shortly these very same geniuses are going to begin to tell me that Chandler Jones is a mere shadow of his promise, and because he brother got into trouble, he has become a character issue.