James

Jones

No deal involving Johnson seems to be imminent despite a report early last week that he was close to signing with either the Raiders or Titans. The Packers may not be willing to meet Keyshawn’s asking price if they believe third-round pick James Jones can make an instant impact.

With Rueben Randle ineffective and Victor Cruz rehabbing, the G-Men are giving themselves veteran insurance behind superstar Odell Beckham. Jones is reuniting with OC Ben McAdoo, whom he played for in Green Bay from 2007-13. Jones appeared withered during his lone year in Oakland last season, but offers a red-zone threat from the slot. Jones averaged a pathetic 9.1 yards per catch last year, but it was partly a function of Oakland’s pop-gun offense. Jones boasted a 13.9 mark before 2014. Realistically, he’s competing for No. 4 or 5 duties.

Jones became redundant when the Raiders signed Michael Crabtree, a younger player with similar skills. Jones became expendable when the Raiders drafted Amari Cooper. 31 years old, Jones led Oakland in receptions (73) last season, but averaged a pathetic 9.12 yards per catch. He was a sub-pedestrian slot receiver and has never been an efficient separator on the perimeter. We wouldn’t be completely shocked if Jones has played his last NFL down.

Jones, 33, spent eight of his nine seasons with the Packers with one detour to the Raiders mixed in there. A former third-round pick, Jones caught 51 career touchdowns and had arguably the best overall season of his career in 2015 with Green Bay, which ended up being his final year. He caught 50 balls for a career-best 890 yards (17.8 YPR) and eight scores. He had a 12-touchdown season in 2012 and won a Super Bowl the previous year. Jones had some huge fantasy seasons.

Jones has been a low-upside WR4 in PPR leagues all season, and has no value in non-PPR leagues. He’s safe to drop during the fantasy football stretch run.

The touchdown was the garbagiest of all garbage-time touchdowns, but it counts just the same. Jones struggled with drops in the game and lacks the athletic ability to make the after-the-catch plays the Raiders are asking him to make. He is a low-upside WR4 in an anemic offense.

He was targeted five times, but only reeled in the one for the Raiders’ first score of the game. Jones was left wide open in the back of the end zone. Jones hasn’t eclipsed 57 yards receiving in eight weeks, but has now scored six times. He and Mychal Rivera are favorites of Derek Carr in the red zone. The Raiders travel to Denver to wrap up the season in Week 17.

Jones followed the money to Oakland, who signed him to a $10M contract to be their No. 1 wideout last offseason. He predictably faltered under the weight of an inept organization, finishing with 73 catches for 666 yards and six touchdowns while playing in all 16 games. Jones will be back for the second year of his three-year deal, but there’s little upside in a 31-year-old (in March) wideout playing in this offense.

He’d missed previous practice time with a hamstring strain. Jones is a 31-year-old veteran, but he could’ve used the reps with new QB Matt Schaub. Jones does offer some potential to flirt with WR3 value as Oakland’s top pass catcher.

“I wouldn’t like that at all,” Jones said. Jones was listed with the second team on the Raiders’ initial depth chart, behind Rod Streater and Andre Holmes. It’s likely just a message from coach Dennis Allen, but an interesting one. Jones wants to be Matt Schaub’s go-to receiver. “That’s definitely a goal of mine,” Jones said. “I definitely want to prove a lot of people wrong and let them know that I can be that guy.” Jones is a fantasy WR4/5, albeit with WR3 upside.