TJ

Jones

With Golden Tate coming off suspension, the G-Men are re-organizing their receiver corps. 27-year-old Jones could be back later this season.

The 27-year-old spent the summer with the Giants and had a huge preseason with a 12-146-2 receiving line. His return could be a sign Sterling Shepard (concussion) may not be ready for Week 2 against the Bills.

Signed in July following a rash of injuries, Jones actually had a really strong preseason. He caught 12 balls for 146 yards and a pair of touchdowns while working with the ones and twos. Jones, however, had an awful finale, dropping a pair of passes.

The Giants are on thin ice at receiver with Sterling Shepard (thumb) currently injured, Corey Coleman (knee) being out for the year, and Golden Tate now appealing his suspension to start the season. Jones had played the slot with the Lions last season, so the Giants may be adding him as Tate insurance to start the season.

The fifth-year pro struggled to get on the field this season despite the Lions’ mid-season trade of Golden Tate. Going on 27, Jones is also headed to free agency.

Even with Marvin Jones out, the other Jones was a non-factor behind Kenny Golladay and Bruce Ellington. He can be left on the wire.

Jones would seem to be the obvious next man up, but the Detroit Free Press has pegged UDFA Brandon Powell as the “heir apparent” in the slot. It’s interesting the Lions’ own website is hedging Jones. Jones caught 30 passes in 2017 and is probably the safer add for bye week desperados in exceptionally-deep leagues. Powell is well worth an add in Dynasty leagues.

Jones primarily played outside receiver opposite DaVaris Daniels for the Fighting Irish, but NFL Network’s Mike Mayock deemed him a “prototype slot receiver.” Quicker than fast, Jones stands in at a shade under 6-feet, and 188 pounds. He projects as a fairly low-ceiling third- or fourth-round pick.

Jones has been a puff piece all-star so far this offseason, but it might end up being somewhat justified. There is a huge opportunity behind Golden Tate and Marvin Jones in Detroit, and he only needs to beat out Jeremy Kerley, Andre Caldwell, and a host of other mediocre receivers for the No. 3 role. After two lost seasons, the 2014 sixth-rounder could finally be in for a substantial role.

A surprise cut in Detroit, most of the Lions’ beat writers believed Jones would enter the season as the No. 4 receiver after practicing there throughout August. Instead, Jones lost out to Andre Roberts for a roster spot.