Marvin Jones Player Spotlight (1 Viewer)

[Ryan Hester]

After a hiatus, we're bringing the Player Spotlight threads back to the Shark Pool. For those who are new around here, the Player Spotlights are a key feature of our preseason on the site. They're in-depth looks at key players, including pros and cons, and our staff projections. For years, we also included the best commentary from the Shark Pool. A few years ago, activity in the Pool died down and commentary waned. But, we have confidence in a resurgence.

So here's the deal. Discuss your thoughts about the player in question. We'll pick the best comments from the bunch and use them (and give you credit) in the published articles.

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Marvin Jones, WR - Detroit Lions

Sometimes in fantasy football, consistency can lead to a lack of excitement. It feels like Jones is a prime example of that. With similar stats over last three seasons (including his final year in Cincinnati), Jones rarely generates any buzz and is almost considered a "sexy" pick. But he returns to Detroit, where his position on the depth chart and target pecking order is solid and stable. Tell us what you think of Jones' prospects for 2018. Will his 55 / 930 / 4 (103 targets) from 2016 and his 61 / 1,101 / 9 (107 targets) from 2017 remain consistent? Or will those lines take a noticeable increase or decrease? 

 

[NeverEnough]

I traded him away so he will go for 72 - 1,344 - 11

 

[travdogg]

I think Jones is optimally a WR3, last year feels a little fluky from a TD perspective. Yes, he had a prior season with 10 TD's but that was years ago, on a different team, and was with low yardage. The 18 YPC also seems a bit fluky, as Jones is neither a burner, not especially good after the catch, though the Lions do use him on a lot of deep routes.

Jones' numbers also spiked when Kenny Golladay got injured. Jones averaged 4 more targets and 24 more yards in games Golladay didn't play in.

That said, Jones is a top-2 WR(probably #1) on a pass first team, with a very good QB. 

My Projection: 110 targets, 60 catches, 1,000 yards, and 5 TD's closer to 2016 than 2017. Probably somewhere in the 20's at WR for me.

 

[TheDirtyWord]

Jones is interesting.

1) He started off at a snails pace.  Only thing that saved his owners the first 5 games of the season were 2TD’s.  But he put up a 14/184 line during that stretch.  And then for the remainder of the season he was a legit WR1 (47/917/7).

2) Using ESPN.com numbers, his depth of reception was 14.8.  I don’t watch a ton of Lions games, but I feel like one of Jones’ strengths is making the contested catch.  Those type of qualities resonate with QB’s.

3) He has been streaky though and I think a lot of owners still remember his 2016 where he started out gangbusters for his first 3 games (18/408/2) and then pretty much disappeared.

If I’m making a call here, I’d be a believer in Jones.  I think a legit comparable for him is Brandin Cooks, a player who I think has been overdrafted the last couple of years.