Sean

Jones

Cleveland has been hopeful that the second-round pick would be able to play this season. “More than likely I’ll probably get put on IR [injured reserve] towards that ninth week,” said Jones, who still isn’t able to make cuts yet.

Jones especially has some value in IDP leagues. Rusell may have to end up splitting time with Brodney Pool or Chris Crocker. It’s a deep group.

If he keeps the job, Jones could be a IDP star this year.

Jones, a second-round pick in ’04, made less of an impact than Pool, a 2005 second-rounder, last season.

A 32-game starter over the past two seasons with Tampa, Jones’ market has been painfully slow this offseason. Jones had the look of an early-career playmaker with back-to-back years of five interceptions in ’06 and ’07, but he hasn’t been the same since. He’d push Amari Spievey for a starting job in Detroit.

The designation means the three players are ineligible to play during the first six weeks of the season. Jones, a second-round pick at safety, is hopeful to make an impact during the second half.

The Lions hosted Jones in early May. Jones was a 16-game starter for the Bucs each of the past two seasons, and has started 85 games since 2006. He was brutal both in coverage and against the run for Tampa’s 32nd ranked scoring defense last season, however, and has just one pick in his past 32 games. He’ll compete with Amari Spievey and Erik Coleman at strong safety. Jones’ signing throws cold water on coach Jim Schwartz’s weekend praise of Coleman.

Jones started all 16 games in Tampa last season, but was outplayed by John Wendling and Erik Coleman in Lions camp. He’ll be a street free agent this year.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Chris Crocker could split snaps with Jones, hurting the fantasy value of each.

This hurts the short-term IDP value of Sean Jones, Brian Russell, and Chris Crocker. None of the three look likely to get the snaps of a normal starter.