With the New England Patriots sidelined this week due to Covid-19, here’s a look at a realistic trade target for the Pats.
What Jones Brings
For 30-year-old Marvin Jones, free agency looms after this season. He is in the final year of his four-year/ $60 million contract he signed back in 2016. Jones has had superstar potential, but inconsistencies have kept him from assuming that title. During his 2020 campaign, he has 12 catches for 138 yards and one touchdown through the Detroit Lions’ first four games. They are currently on a week 5 bye. For head coach Matt Patricia, it is crucial for this offense to click, or it might be time to blow it up in a fire sale. Jones would be an immediate novelty on the trade market, and the Patriots should be knocking on that door already.
During his nine-year career, Jones sports 359 catches for 5,185 yards, and 43 touchdowns to go along with 19 rushes and 148 rushing yards: All while being a part of inconsistent offensive coaches and staffs. The former Cal product shows great physicality, strength, and speed which the Pats could use alongside N’Keal Harry, and Julian Edelman. Jones would give Patriots quarterback Cam Newton a new dynamic receiver who will be another body to spread the defense.
Lions Approach
The Lions will most definitely be sellers by the trade deadline. Coming from a system with a familiar head coach (Patricia) and with pressure from ownership and the fans alike, it makes total sense why Jones has his name floating around the rumor mill. He could be one of the cheaper options for wide receiver trade options, but a team with amazing coaching and offensive personnel could make get a steal.
It is almost a certainty that the Lions will not make a huge push to re-sign Jones, with the focus to lock up fellow wideout Kenny Golladay long term. The Pats were on the verge of signing Jones back in 2016 until the Lions swooped in and got him. Could New England finally get the guy that they coveted so much just four years later?
In Conclusion
With Golladay establishing himself as Detroit’s clear-cut No. 1 receiver and the renewed deal with Danny Amendola, Detroit could easily afford to trade away Jones. The Lions could use a day two or day three pick and choose a receiver from the talented class to help replace his production, and use the cap savings to help fill out their roster in other areas. Bill Belichick should be all over this if, in fact, Jones is on the trade block. With plenty of cap space for the remainder of the 2020 season, as well as the 2021 season, why not bolster a weakness and try to win now? There’s a lot of time between now and the deadline. Time will tell how the Lions, as well as the Patriots, want to play out the rest of their seasons.
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Main Credit Image: Embed from Getty Images
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