Marvin Jones signs with Jaguars: ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting Jacksonville Jaguars have signed WR Marvin Jones to a two-year deal worth 14.5 million. The deal includes $9.2 million in fully guaranteed money.
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Jaguars are giving former Lions' WR Marvin Jones a two-year, $14.5 million deal, including $9.2 million fully guaranteed, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2021
Marvin Jones Signs with Jaguars
With wideouts that include Kenny Golladay, Will Fuller and JuJu Smith-Schuster still left unspoken for, Marvin Jones became one of the first notable wide receivers to agree to a deal amidst the early portion of the Free Agency Frenzy.
Although the Jaguars are rebuilding, Jones, who turned 31-years-old on March 11, adds veteran stability to a young wide receiver room in Jacksonville, a team primed to select Trevor Lawrence No. 1 overall in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. Jones will help the young rookie as well as acting as a positional and locker room leader.
The Jones signing was not just about stability or leadership, however. Chris Conley, Dede Westbrook, and Keelan Cole are all unrestricted free agents that the Jaguars are unlikely to re-sign, leaving the team with D.J. Chark, Laviska Shenault Jr., and a whole lot of question marks behind them at the position that includes Collin Johnson and Terry Godwin.
There was a need for wide receiver help in Jacksonville and they may not be done yet. It would be wise for the team to load up on pass-catching talent, especially with the impending selection of their franchise quarterback just over a month away.
While Jones had other suitors that include the Raiders and Texans, amongst other clubs, choosing Jacksonville may have been a no-brainer for the eight-year NFL veteran. He will be re-uniting with Darrell Bevell, who was Jones’ offensive coordinator for the past two seasons with the Detroit Lions. Bevell is now Jacksonville’s OC.
Playing under Bevell in Detroit, Jones had two of his most-produce years as a pro. Jones has compiled 62+ receptions for 779+ yards and 9+ touchdowns in each of his past two seasons since 2019 under the coordinator. That 62/779/9 stat line came back in 2019 in only 13 games.
While Jones has only recorded one season with 1000+ receiving yards in his eight-year career — he went for 1101 yards back in 2017 with the Lions — he has managed to record four seasons with 9+ scores, accomplishing that feat in three of the past four years.
In his eight-year career, Jones caught 423-of-693 targets for 6,025 yards and 51 touchdowns with a 14.2 yards per catch average in 112 career games.
Jaguars 2021 NFL Betting Outlook
Jaguars to Win Super Bowl 56 (+10000)
(Odds courtesy of PointsBet)
What can I say here besides the payout would be really really nice if the Jaguars won Super Bowl 56. However, there is a reason why the books are slating Jacksonville at (+10000). They are as much as a longshot to win next year’s Super Bowl as a heel getting a clean-pin on red and yellow Hulk Hogan in the 1980s.
Jaguars AFC South Winner (+1200)
(Odds courtesy of PointsBet)
- Colts (+105)
- Titans (+105)
- Jaguars (+1200)
- Texans (+1400)
Brace yourself Jaguars-faithful. You are no longer the lowest odds to win the AFC South. The Texans have you beat.
Let’s be serious though. The Jaguars have opened the new league year with the most cap space have not been shy spending it. Not only did they add Marvin Jones, but the Jaguars also signed CB Shaquill Griffin, S Rayshawn Jenkins, DL Tyson Alualu, WR Phillip Dorsett, RB Carlos Hyde, DE Roy Robertson-Harris, DE Jihad Ward, and TE Chris Manhertz, amongst others. They also re-signed some of their own including CB Sidey Jones and CB Tre Herndon.
While the greater impact signings have come on the defensive side of the football, Jacksonville’s offensive accusations should not be overlooked. There is a trend. As noted above breaking down the Jones signing, the Jaguars are adding quality veterans who can produce and lead a young team. While statistically, they will hold their own, they will, also contribute with intangibles that won’t show up in the box score.
If the jaguars hit in the draft, most notably, on QB Trevor Lawrence, who knows how soon things can turn around, especially if the team also hits on new head coach Urban Meyer. Sure, this thing can sick faster than the Titanic, but rapid turnarounds are not uncommon in the NFL, a league in which one-possession decides many games.
What if Carson Wentz and doesn’t work and the Colts fail to take advantage of their talented roster? What are the Titans going to do on defense and at pass-catcher? What the hell are the Texans even doing?
While I would drop a ton of funds on the Jaguars to win the AFC South, they are making the moves to make a solid case for themselves in a division that could be closer than what meets the eye. The Jags just need to hit more than they miss. It’s that simple, isn’t it?
