Matt Jones - Breakout Candidate or lost in the shuffle? (1 Viewer)

[bissy77]

I'm having a hard time gauging Matt Jones dynasty outlook and was hoping for some of your opinions.

I can clearly see both good and bad:

The good:

1. Had his most productive year this last year despite only playing in 12 games (65 catches, 761, 2 TD)

2. Reports of him working harder and being more focused this last year

3. Really is still learning the WR position...he's only played it for 4 years now

4. Has all the talent to be a great WR...tall, fast, etc...

The bad:

1. Problem child...drugs, suspensions, etc..

2. Lack of TD's....you would think with his size he would be scoring more via jump balls even

3. Plays for a run first team...MJD is the bell cow on that team...Garrard is what he is

4. M. Walker

In my head I can envision a scenario where he continues to improve and becomes a 80 catch, 1,200 yd. type of guy...but I can also see him getting lost in that offense, Mike Walker being the go-to guy and Jones not improving on his #'s from this year.

And he'll be a FA after this next year.

So which way do you see him going from here?

Thanks

 

[gradin123]

I think his upside is limited. He just doesn't have breakaway speed and I don't think he will ever be in the 1200 yard range.

The Jaguars passing game might have actually improved slightly after he got suspended so it didn't look like they missed him much.

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he has cleaned up but I still think he'll have a hard time even approaching the 1000 yard mark. I would say 800 yards and 5 or 6 TD's.

 

[twitch]

I'm having a hard time gauging Matt Jones dynasty outlook and was hoping for some of your opinions. I can clearly see both good and bad: The good:1. Had his most productive year this last year despite only playing in 12 games (65 catches, 761, 2 TD)2. Reports of him working harder and being more focused this last year3. Really is still learning the WR position...he's only played it for 4 years now4. Has all the talent to be a great WR...tall, fast, etc... The bad:1. Problem child...drugs, suspensions, etc..2. Lack of TD's....you would think with his size he would be scoring more via jump balls even3. Plays for a run first team...MJD is the bell cow on that team...Garrard is what he is4. M. Walker In my head I can envision a scenario where he continues to improve and becomes a 80 catch, 1,200 yd. type of guy...but I can also see him getting lost in that offense, Mike Walker being the go-to guy and Jones not improving on his #'s from this year. And he'll be a FA after this next year. So which way do you see him going from here?Thanks

It could just be the drug use/lifestyle were key factors holding him back. Id say the #s you dropped, 80 and 1200, would be pretty much a ceiling. Last year had to be a tough one for the guy. So, Id look for continued improvement. Particularly in a contract year.

 

[vikingsguy22]

I could maybe see him getting to 1,200 yds. The main concern I'd have with him is the offense he is playing in. If he signs someplace else next year as a FA, all bets are off.

I'm having a hard time gauging Matt Jones dynasty outlook and was hoping for some of your opinions.I can clearly see both good and bad:The good:1. Had his most productive year this last year despite only playing in 12 games (65 catches, 761, 2 TD)2. Reports of him working harder and being more focused this last year3. Really is still learning the WR position...he's only played it for 4 years now4. Has all the talent to be a great WR...tall, fast, etc...The bad:1. Problem child...drugs, suspensions, etc..2. Lack of TD's....you would think with his size he would be scoring more via jump balls even3. Plays for a run first team...MJD is the bell cow on that team...Garrard is what he is4. M. WalkerIn my head I can envision a scenario where he continues to improve and becomes a 80 catch, 1,200 yd. type of guy...but I can also see him getting lost in that offense, Mike Walker being the go-to guy and Jones not improving on his #'s from this year. And he'll be a FA after this next year.So which way do you see him going from here?Thanks

It could just be the drug use/lifestyle were key factors holding him back. Id say the #s you dropped, 80 and 1200, would be pretty much a ceiling. Last year had to be a tough one for the guy. So, Id look for continued improvement. Particularly in a contract year.

 

[az_prof]

I am biased as I owned him for years and he never did anything until this past year, after I finally released him.

That being said, I don't ever see him becoming a top WR. He was the best of a bad corps of WRs last year but eventually someone else (walker? a new rookie?) will replace him. We all thought he had great speed but he has trouble getting separation.

 

[Zoomanji]

I don't think he ever becomes a top WR either.

He could be a decent possession guy on a team with a better QB and one that throws the ball more than JAX.

 

[travdogg]

I think he's a solid WR3 and is easily the best WR the Jags have. 1,000 yards is very possible, he would have gotten there this year if not for the suspension. No reason at all he can't go for 1,100-6 or something like that, though that may be his ceiling.

He's somewhere in the 25-30 range in my opinion. But he certainly doesn't look like a bust anymore.

 

[Fear & Loathing]

My thoughts:

- He was easily the Jags best receiver last season and routinely made clutch grabs in key situations. Garrard leaned on him whenever he absolutely had to have a completion. He's emerged as the Jags go-to WR and is likely to be consistently targeted again in 2009.

- Earlier in this career, the Jags had used him in goal-line/red zone packages quite a bit. He was a less of a target in red zone last year, but I think the low TD number is fluky. He can post 8-12 TDs in a given year if given the opportunity.

- His history indicates that he no longer deserves the benefit of the doubt and can't be relied upon as a starting fantasy receiver . . . but he does have the potential to be a reliable weekly starter. Those are the guys I like to collect as possible WR2/WR3s instead of giving up something of value for an already established WR2/WR3.

 

[FUBAR]

F&L is right and I'd take him as my 3rd WR in most leagues.

His last 7 games of 08 give us a good indication of what he'll do in the future I think.

He didn't do well against Minnesota or Chicago, but he was pretty much good for a handful of receptions and 60+ yards each week, with a couple good games mixed in. Not a WR1, but a solid WR3.

 

[Anonymous Internet User]

Can someone explain to me why he wasn't suspended more severely for felony cocaine possession? It seems that so many other players were punished more for lesser crimes. I just don't get it.

 

[inzanitee]

F&L is right and I'd take him as my 3rd WR in most leagues.His last 7 games of 08 give us a good indication of what he'll do in the future I think.He didn't do well against Minnesota or Chicago, but he was pretty much good for a handful of receptions and 60+ yards each week, with a couple good games mixed in. Not a WR1, but a solid WR3.

I'm wondering if Mike Walker is healthy whether he'll eat into Jones' numbers.

 

[dotman]

Can someone explain to me why he wasn't suspended more severely for felony cocaine possession? It seems that so many other players were punished more for lesser crimes. I just don't get it.

Can you give examples of players that were suspended more for lesser crimes?

 

[FUBAR]

F&L is right and I'd take him as my 3rd WR in most leagues.His last 7 games of 08 give us a good indication of what he'll do in the future I think.He didn't do well against Minnesota or Chicago, but he was pretty much good for a handful of receptions and 60+ yards each week, with a couple good games mixed in. Not a WR1, but a solid WR3.

I'm wondering if Mike Walker is healthy whether he'll eat into Jones' numbers.

He could, but I'd like to see how the offense rolls without Fred Taylor now. Could easily pass a lot more and Jones should get more TDs. I'm thinking 75/1100/8, but I'm far from confident.

 

[travdogg]

F&L is right and I'd take him as my 3rd WR in most leagues.His last 7 games of 08 give us a good indication of what he'll do in the future I think.He didn't do well against Minnesota or Chicago, but he was pretty much good for a handful of receptions and 60+ yards each week, with a couple good games mixed in. Not a WR1, but a solid WR3.

I'm wondering if Mike Walker is healthy whether he'll eat into Jones' numbers.

That's a huge if. Walker is basically a less durable Mark Bradley. He never seems to be able to stay healthy for more than a month at a time and I'm not sure how talented he is anyway. Jones is the unquestioned #1 whether Walker is healthy or not. I would think a healthy Walker would help the offense in general, but I doubt he'd be a threat to anyone else's touches.I agree with FUBAR that the Jags may pass more by design with Taylor gone.

 

[vikingsguy22]

I just actually traded for M. Jones in one of my PPR dynasty leagues. I gave up O. Daniels and T. Bell for M. Jones, K. Burton and B. Celek....

I also have J. Carlson at TE and needed some WR help.

 

[Zoomanji]

I just actually traded for M. Jones in one of my PPR dynasty leagues. I gave up O. Daniels and T. Bell for M. Jones, K. Burton and B. Celek....I also have J. Carlson at TE and needed some WR help.

I give your trade a solid B.

 

[Captain_Apocalypse]

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jqAO7m...AN2jdKfQ_KZfeDw

From my understanding he was never convicted, only charged, thus a lesser suspention as the charge will be dissmissed if he finishes the program. ( I think it won't even go on his official record). I could see him getting a longer suspention if for some reason he doesn't finish the program.

 

[Jous]

He's an iffy player... his physical potential makes him worthy of consideration. He's a very gifted athlete... reminds me a bit of Plaxico Burress in a way. If he can keep out of trouble he could be worth a shot.