Cleveland Browns should target FA James Jones
By Jesse Runner
According to the Oakland Raiders, veteran wide receiver James Jones will be released from the team.
WR James Jones, LB Miles Burris, OL Kevin Boothe released as Raiders make roster moves. More: http://t.co/LK1130Hv8J
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) May 5, 2015
Jones signed last year on a three-year contract worth a reported $11.3 million contract,
The roster cut isn’t surprising, as Jones was set to become the fourth receiver in an offense that just drafted Alabama star Amari Cooper.
Luckily for Jones, there should be plenty of suitors who could use a reliable veteran receiver, and the Browns should be one of them.
The Browns currently have receivers Dwayne Bowe, Andrew Hawkins, Brian Hartline, Taylor Gabriel, Travis Benjamin and newly drafted rookie Vince Mayle on the roster. All could potentially compete for playing time. The addition of Jones could possibly lead to the release of one of these receivers.
Last season, Jones proved to be a solid weapon for rookie quarterback Derek Carr, as he recorded 73 catches for 666 yards (yikes) and 6 touchdowns.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound receiver could play a similar role in Cleveland for Johnny Manziel, provided he is able to win the starting job. If not, then surely Josh McCown would enjoy another pair of soft hands catching the football.
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The need for another wide-out grew even more after Farmer elected, for the second straight year, to not draft a receiver through the first three rounds of the draft. Instead, Farmer and head coach Mike Pettine placed a premium on defense, as 7 of the team’s 12 picks went to that side of the ball, including nose tackle Danny Shelton at pick 12 of the first round.
Farmer had this to say about the lack of a receiver through three rounds:
“Our wide receivers, in my opinion – I don’t know if somebody can give me something different – but I thought they more than held their own last year. We bolstered that (pass-catching) group in free agency. We feel like we’re even better in that spot.”
When Cleveland decided to finally address the WR position, Farmer selected Vince Mayle out of Washington State. While the 6-foot-2, second-team All-Pac-12 receiver had a productive year in 2014, he doesn’t possess elite speed. Not to mention Mayle dropped 13 passes in 2014. At the NFL level, he has the skill to mold into a much more productive player, but it may take a year or two of development.
Jones, however, would be a player who can contribute immediately, and he could potentially threaten Brian Hartline for playing time.
Do you think the Browns should target wide receiver James Jones?