Benito Jaquez Jones Bio
Benito Jaquez Jones is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 27, 1997, in Waynesboro, Mississippi, Jones played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels from 2016 to 2019. After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, he signed with the Miami Dolphins and has since built a solid NFL career with stints alongside the Detroit Lions before returning to Miami and ultimately joining the Raiders in 2026. Known for his size and interior defensive line presence, Jones has contributed as both a rotational player and starter across his professional tenure.
Early Life and Background
Benito Jaquez Jones was born and raised in Waynesboro, Mississippi, a small city in the southeastern part of the state. He attended Wayne County High School, where his football journey began to take shape. During his high school years, Jones developed into a promising defensive line prospect, attracting attention from college programs across the region. His performance at the high school level laid the foundation for his eventual opportunity at the collegiate ranks.
After completing high school, Jones remained in his home state to continue his football career. He chose to attend the University of Mississippi, known as Ole Miss, where he would play for the Rebels football program. This decision kept him close to his Mississippi roots while providing him with the platform to showcase his talents against some of the best college competition in the country.
Path to the NFL
Jones played four seasons for the Ole Miss Rebels from 2016 through 2019. During his college career, he developed as an interior defensive lineman, competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), one of the most prestigious college football conferences in the nation. The experience of playing against top-tier competition week in and week out prepared him for the challenges of professional football. His tenure with the Rebels allowed him to refine his technique, build physical strength, and understand the demands of the defensive tackle position at the highest collegiate level.
Following his senior season with Ole Miss, Jones entered the 2020 NFL Draft. Despite his college experience in the SEC, he went undrafted throughout the seven-round process. However, his collegiate career and physical tools attracted attention from NFL teams looking to add depth to their defensive lines through the undrafted free agent market.
Benito Jaquez Jones Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Jones signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on April 25, 2020. His path to the active roster was not immediate, as he was waived during final roster cuts on September 5. The Dolphins signed him to their practice squad two days later, where he continued to develop while awaiting his opportunity. The team elevated Jones to the active roster multiple times during his rookie season for games against the New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and Denver Broncos, using the NFL’s elevation rule that allowed him to participate without requiring waivers.
The Dolphins signed Jones to their active roster on December 2, 2020. He appeared in six games during his rookie season, recording one tackle. On August 31, 2021, the Dolphins waived Jones, but he was immediately re-signed to the practice squad. In April 2022, Jones was re-signed by the Dolphins, only to be waived again during final roster cuts in August. This period demonstrated the challenging nature of making an NFL roster as an undrafted player, requiring patience and persistence.
Detroit Lions (2022–2023)
The Detroit Lions claimed Jones off waivers on August 31, 2022, providing him with a fresh opportunity. In his first season with the Lions, Jones played in all 17 regular season games, though he did not start any. He recorded 1.5 sacks, 16 total tackles, and 2 pass deflections while playing 27 percent of the Lions defensive snaps. The consistency of appearing in every game showcased his reliability as a depth piece on the defensive line.
The 2023 season marked a significant advancement in Jones’s role. He again appeared in all 17 regular season games, but this time started 15 of them. His statistical output improved to 26 total tackles (13 solo) and one sack. His snap count increased substantially, jumping over 250 additional snaps compared to the previous year, as he played 52 percent of Detroit’s defensive snaps. The Lions’ playoff run that season gave Jones his first postseason experience, and he appeared in three playoff games, recording one solo tackle.
Miami Dolphins Return (2024–2025)
Jones returned to the Miami Dolphins on March 18, 2024. In his first season back with the team, he played in all 17 games and started 15, recording 24 tackles. The second stint with Miami allowed him to assume a larger role in the defensive rotation. He re-signed with the Dolphins on March 20, 2025. During the 2025 season, Jones appeared in 14 games with eight starts, tallying 15 tackles, one sack, and one pass deflection. His season ended on December 27, 2025, when the Dolphins placed him on season-ending injured reserve due to a back injury.
Las Vegas Raiders (2026–Present)
On May 13, 2026, Jones signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. This move represented a new chapter in his NFL career, joining a franchise known for its passionate fan base and rich defensive tradition. Jones brought his experience from five seasons across three organizations, including 68 career regular season games and three playoff appearances, to the Raiders’ defensive line rotation.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jones operates primarily as an interior defensive lineman, using his 6-foot-1-inch, 335-pound frame to occupy blockers and collapse the pocket from the middle. His strength lies in his ability to hold the point of attack against run plays, freeing up linebackers to make plays. His experience in multiple defensive schemes across different organizations has allowed him to adapt to various frontend configurations and responsibilities. Teams have valued his consistency and availability, having appeared in all 17 games twice during his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jones’s career has been marked by steady progression rather than dramatic single moments. His first playoff experience with the Detroit Lions in the 2023 season represented a milestone, as he contributed to a Lions team that reached the postseason for the first time in years. Returning to the Dolphins and earning a starting role in 2024 demonstrated his ability to earn opportunities through performance. His versatility to play both the nose tackle and three-technique positions has increased his value as a rotational and starting option along the defensive interior.
Benito Jaquez Jones Career Statistics
Across his NFL career spanning five seasons with three franchises, Jones has established himself as a reliable rotational and starting defensive tackle. His ability to stay healthy and available has been a consistent trait throughout his professional career.
Regular Season Highlights
Jones has appeared in 68 career regular season games, starting 38 of them. He has recorded 83 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 3 pass deflections. His most productive season came in 2023 with the Lions, where he started 15 games and posted 26 tackles. His 2024 season with the Dolphins featured 15 starts and 24 tackles. The consistency of his production, combined with his ability to play high-volume snaps, has made him a valuable asset for multiple organizations.
Playoff Performances
Jones made his playoff debut during the 2023 season with the Detroit Lions, appearing in three postseason games. He recorded one solo tackle during the Lions’ playoff run. This postseason experience added an important dimension to his professional resume, as playoff football presents unique challenges and high-pressure situations that not all players get to experience.
| Season | Team | Games | Starts | Tackles | Sacks | Pass Deflections |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Miami Dolphins | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Detroit Lions | 17 | 0 | 16 | 1.5 | 2 |
| 2023 | Detroit Lions | 17 | 15 | 26 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | Miami Dolphins | 17 | 15 | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Miami Dolphins | 14 | 8 | 15 | 1 | 1 |
Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Specific details about Benito Jaquez Jones’s family background, including his parents, siblings, or any family connections to athletics, are not widely available in public sources. Jones has maintained a private approach to his family life, focusing public attention on his football career rather than personal background. This privacy has allowed him to concentrate on his professional development without external distractions.
Personal Life
Jones was born in Waynesboro, Mississippi, in November 1997, making him 28 years old as of 2025. Beyond his football career, he has been committed to his profession, demonstrating this through the longevity and consistency of his NFL career. His journey from an undrafted free agent to a player with over five seasons of NFL experience illustrates his dedication to the sport. Jones continues to work toward establishing himself as a reliable contributor at the professional level.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season presented challenges for Jones following his return to the Miami Dolphins. He appeared in 14 games with eight starts, recording 15 tackles, one sack, and one pass deflection. While his tackle numbers decreased from his 2024 production, he remained an active part of the Dolphins’ defensive line rotation. His season ended prematurely on December 27, 2025, when the team placed him on season-ending injured reserve due to a back injury. The injury cut short what had been a solid if not spectacular season, as Jones continued to demonstrate his ability to contribute when healthy. His move to the Las Vegas Raiders in May 2026 marked a new beginning, as he looked to re-establish himself with a new organization while continuing his NFL career beyond the injury that ended his 2025 campaign.