Ex Jaguars Zay Jones exploring possiblity of joining division foe
• They may have to face him twice in 2024
The Jacksonville Jaguars released wide receiver Zay Jones after the 2024 NFL Draft. He may not have to wait long to find a new home. In fact, he may not have to leave the AFC South, based on a recent report.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media says Jones is visiting the Tenessee Titans. His connection with offensive coordinator Nick Holz, who was the Jaguars' passing game coordinator last year, makes him a potential fit. Earlier this year, Calvin Ridley, who played for the Jags last year, inked a four-year deal worth $94 million with the Titans.
Free agent WR Zay Jones, who was released after the NFL Draft by the #Jaguars, is visiting the #Titans today, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 6, 2024
Jones has an obvious connection to Tennessee OC Nick Holz, as the two were both in Jacksonville last year.
A second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Jones joined the Jags in 2022. He went on to set career bests for yards in a season (823) and receptions (82) in his first year donning the Black & Teal. Before he signed with Jacksonville, he had only topped the 600-yard mark once. Similarly, he had scored a combined two touchdowns from 2019-2021. Unfortunately, Jones wasn't able to build off of his success.
Last year, a PCL injury limited him to just nine games and 34 receptions with 321 yards. He should be able to fully recover from the injury but there was no longer room for him in Jacksonville after the signing of Gabe Davis and the arrival of Brian Thomas Jr. Then again, the writing had been on the wall for Jones for a while.
Throughout the offseason, Jones was seen as a potential cap casualty. He was set to count $10.7 million against the cap, and releasing him freed up $4. 1million in space. Had the Jags kept him around, he would've been WR4 on the depth chart, and the front office wasn't willing to fork out that amount of money for a reserve player.
Zay Jones could help a team but the Titans may not be good fit
Keep in mind that Zay Jones hasn't reached an agreement with the Titans, as of this writing. In fact, he's the second receiver to visit them in as many weeks. Tennessee had previously hosted former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd, so it looks like they're exploring the options at the position.
Right now, the two top receivers on the Titans depth chart are DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley. Former first-round pick Treylon Burks is currently No. 3, but it doesn't look like Tenessee is sold on him. Otherwise, they wouldn't be doing due diligence at the position. If Jones does end up signing, he would probably be WR3 behind Hopkins and Ridley.
But even if the Titans bolster their wide receiver corps, there are no guarantees their passing game will be much better. Quarterback Will Levis flashed as a rookie but also struggled with accuracy. It won't matter how many weapons he has if he cannot get them the ball. Still, it doesn't hurt to have as many weapons as possible, as it creates more favorable matchups for everyone.
In the end, teams are always looking for ways to improve. And after the draft, Zay Jones has limited options, so it wouldn't be shocking to see him cross enemy lines in 2024.
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