Here are three possible landing spots for 3,000-yard Free Agent and former Jacksonville Jaguar wide receiver, Zay Jones this offseason after this year’s draft. A new wideout is available for many teams across the league among other receivers that are still looking for a new NFL home. This release comes days after drafting LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick. The Jaguars are bringing in five-time Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry for a tryout in their rookie minicamp alongside Thomas.
Jones was projected to count nearly $10.8 million against the salary cap in 2024, which is a significant payout for someone who is the team’s fourth receiving option at best. Jacksonville is clearing out some wideouts to probably sign Landry after his workout so they have enough to pay him if he impresses. However, Jones has 3,028 receiving yards and 18 total touchdowns in his career so any team could add him as a last-minute addition. He won’t make significant strides like Odell Beckham Jr. or Tyler Boyd but he could probably compete for WR2.
The former second-rounder was drafted in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. The Bills released him after a slow production that later would find him on the Raiders and Jaguars the next few seasons. The Jaguars did add Gabe Davis and Devin Duvernay during free agency after losing Calvin Ridley which indicates the team was replacing him. However, it sounds like Landry will be intriguing the Jaguars as he insists that he’s fully healthy after missing the 2023 campaign.
The good news is that the 29-year-old still has plenty of seasons ahead of him so this adds one more receiver available for teams. He’s healthy too so here are three possible landing spots for Jones.
Three Possible Landing Spots for 3,000-Yard Free Agent Zay Jones
Kansas City Chiefs
Jones could find himself becoming the next WR2 next to first-rounder Xavier Worthy for the Chiefs playing under Patrick Mahomes. Worthy probably needs time to adjust so this would be a solid addition to have Jones complement him. The Chiefs signed Marquise Brown as a veteran short-term solution piece to add some experience to the team but one more probably won’t hurt. If Kansas City wants to bolster their receiving corps, then Jones is among the many wideouts available.
The issue is that the Chiefs’ receiver room is already loaded with Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore. So why would they want someone like Jones to overload the offense? If he’s 100%, healthy and cheap then the Chiefs should consider adding one more receiver just in case. They’re losing Rashee Rice this year for off-field issues so adding someone in the vertical route is crucial.
Jones could fill that hole and emerge as the next Marquez Valdes-Scantling to provide length for Mahomes. The wide receiver room has the speed but the size is the only issue.
New Orleans Saints
The wide receiver was a need for the Saints after releasing long-time veteran Michael Thomas from his contract this offseason. However, the team didn’t draft one until the fifth round of the NFL Draft. This probably means the Saints aren’t done adding to their receiving corps since they’re still looking for a veteran. Jones isn’t anything like Thomas with his track record of stats but it’s a fit to give Derek Carr another solid option.
This fit would make sense since Jones and Carr played in Las Vegas so the chemistry is there. Jones is a proven veteran who can help a receiving corp that is less experienced.
Los Angeles Chargers
Jones landing with the team on a cheap deal would make sense for the entire roster depth chart. Brenden Rice and Cornelius Johnson need time to develop so Jones could help to the team’s receiving corps. It looks like the Chargers are staying young at the position after losing Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. However, adding Jones would help Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnson as their WR3.
