Jaguars WR Marvin Jones pops up on list of players likely to be traded

The 2022 NFL trade deadline is nearing and clubs have until 4:00 p.m. ET Tuesday to make deals. Teams have reportedly inquired about outside linebacker Josh Allen but he isn’t the only Jacksonville Jaguars player that has garnered interest. Wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. has also been mentioned as someone who could change uniforms before the deadline.

Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports recently put together a list of players that are “likely to be dealt” and Jones made the cut. Benjamin argues that the Jags aren’t afraid to trade players and believes they could get a mid-round pick for the former Cal Golden Bear.

"Jacksonville already sold James Robinson after Travis Etienne claimed the running back spot. At 2-6, they’ve got even more reason to look ahead to 2023. Jones is a respected locker-room presence and underrated contributor, but Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram are all ahead of him on the pecking order of Trevor Lawrence outlets. Due to hit the open market after the season, he might still fetch a reasonable mid- to late-round pick from a team needed veteran help out wide."

A fifth-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2012, Jones spent time with the Detroit Lions before signing with Jacksonville last year. The California native led the Jags in catches (73) receiving yards (832) and receiving touchdowns (four) in 2021. However, he’s taken on more of a complementary role on the Jags’ offense due to the arrival of Zay Jones, Christian Kirk, and Evan Engram. Still, he’s hauled in 22 receptions for 265 yards with one touchdown this season.

Trading Marvin Jones Jr. comes with pros and cons for the Jaguars

This is head coach Doug Pederson’s first year at the helm and at 2-6 following the loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 8, you could make the case that the Jags are better off starting to plan for next season. After all, Jacksonville has certainly made strides but they’ve also lost games they should have won.

Trevor Lawrence has certainly played a role in the loss but he hasn’t been the only reason. The Jags don’t have enough talent on the roster to compensate for Lawrence’s shortcomings in spite of all the additions they made earlier this year.

Marvin Jones has performed well this season but as Benjamin noted, he’s not one of the team’s top targets and he’s set to become a free agent in 2023, so getting something for him would make sense, especially when you consider that Jacksonville will probably be working with a tight budget next offseason.

Of course, trading Jones comes with downsides. The Jags would be sending the message they’re throwing in the towel this season, which could in turn have a negative impact on the team’s morale. Doug Pederson warned everyone when he got hired this wasn’t going to be a one-year rebuild but it shouldn’t be a wasted season either. Keep in mind that these Jaguars are better than their 2021 counterpart, even if it doesn’t show in the win-loss column.

Of course, fans no longer want to hear the Jags “are close”. They want to see wins and playoff trips, so the Jaguars must weigh in the benefits of keeping players such as Josh Allen and Marvin Jones and hoard resources for the future. There are still nine games in the season and there’s still a chance Jacksonville will turn the corner. Having Jones and Allen around would definitely help.