Player Spotlight: Brandon Jones (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2007 Player Spotlight Series

Over the course of the offseason, we will be evaluating a multitude of players at every fantasy position. One such way we go about that is through the Player Spotlight series. Think of the Spotlights as a permanent record on some of the more intriguing players for the upcoming season. Each Spotlight will be featured in an article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Brandon Jones, WR, Tennessee Titans

Player Page Link: Brandon Jones Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide sustainable value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsBest of Luck and ENJOY!

 

[az_prof]

I figure with Drew Bennett gone and no one else to be the WR1 that the job falls to Brandon Jones by default, especially when you consider the rapport he developed with Vince Young last year. That said, I project his numbers by looking at Drew Bennett's production, normalized for a 17 week season (Bennett missed three games) in terms of receptions, multiplied by the yards per catch that Jones did last year (14.2). Jones caught 4 TDs last year in part-time duty, so 6 TDs as the full time starter seems very conservative. Basically, this is the FLOOR. He could do as well as 70/1000/9. People projecting big things for Vince Young need to ask who will be catching all the balls? Brandon Jones seems like a very good bet.

60 receptions, 854 yards, 6 TDs. 181 fantasy points.

 

[lions327]

I think a lot of people forget that Brandon Jones had a serious knee injury in the last half of the 2005 season, and was not at full speed in 2006. He was inconsistent and played with a rookie QB. This year, Young has a year under his belt, Jones is going into his 3rd year and should be 100%. With the WR situation in Tennessee not being very good, combined with Young's ability to extend plays because of his running ability, I think Jones could have a breakout year in 2007.

65 receptions

925 yards

7 TD's

 

[shadyridr]

VY's gotta throw to somebody. Why not Jones who showed alot of promise his rookie year before a severe injury slowed him down for most of last year. I think Jones could be a huge sleeper this year.

56 rec, 950 yds, 5 tds

 

[Jason Wood]

It seems the "bullishness" for Jones revolves largely around the "Vince Young has to throw to someone." I must admit to being guilty of that myself, but is that really enough to justify some of the projections I'm seeing for him? Didn't we make the same kind of mistake with the Falcons WRs in recent years? Or San Diego? At some point, it could be less about "Vince has to throw to someone" and more "we have to downgrade Vince because he has no one to throw to."

 

[perry147]

It seems the "bullishness" for Jones revolves largely around the "Vince Young has to throw to someone." I must admit to being guilty of that myself, but is that really enough to justify some of the projections I'm seeing for him? Didn't we make the same kind of mistake with the Falcons WRs in recent years? Or San Diego? At some point, it could be less about "Vince has to throw to someone" and more "we have to downgrade Vince because he has no one to throw to."

:X I am in your boat we need to downgrade VY because he has such a poor supporting cast.

 

[shadyridr]

It seems the "bullishness" for Jones revolves largely around the "Vince Young has to throw to someone." I must admit to being guilty of that myself, but is that really enough to justify some of the projections I'm seeing for him? Didn't we make the same kind of mistake with the Falcons WRs in recent years? Or San Diego? At some point, it could be less about "Vince has to throw to someone" and more "we have to downgrade Vince because he has no one to throw to."

Does it have to be WRs cuz Alge Crumpler has been a stud TE for the last few years. ie Vick has to throw to someone = Crumpler.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

Just got done doing prelinary projections for the Titans.

I got Brandon Jones @ 54 receptions, 737 yards, 6.5 TDs

 

[Hawk]

While I can see the downgrade Vince argument on the one hand, on the other hand, it's not like Vince had anybody great to throw to last year either. Yet his passing improved steadily over the season and he still wound up with 2,200 yards passing. Give Vince 16 starts and even a slight improvement in passing ability heading into his second year, and he should get around 2,800+ passing yards.

I watched all the Titans games last season, and to me, B.Jones looked to be more talented than D.Bennett. And Jones was still recovering from his knee injury. If Jones stays healthy, I think he'll beat Bennett's production from last year. I think 65 / 900 / 7 TD's sounds about right to me.

 

[joffer]

not bullish at all, i think the TEs (Scaife and Troupe) are going to be the main targets in Tennessee this year.

45/600/4

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Three times down the stretch last year, VY hit Jones for key 4th quarter touchdowns. He knows who butters bis bread. Jones is fearless over the middle and seemed to have the best timing with VY of any of the Tennessee WRs last year. Unless someone from "the pack" at WR really steps up in the offseason, I don't see how he's not the primary WR target, especially on play action and in the red zone.

 

[semaj33]

Three times down the stretch last year, VY hit Jones for key 4th quarter touchdowns. He knows who butters bis bread. Jones is fearless over the middle and seemed to have the best timing with VY of any of the Tennessee WRs last year. Unless someone from "the pack" at WR really steps up in the offseason, I don't see how he's not the primary WR target, especially on play action and in the red zone.

couldn't agree more bloom...this kid caught 75 % of his red zone targets last season....he's got a lot higher upside than his ADP would currently indicate...I would go along the 900 yard and 7 td route myself...

 

[Jason Wood]

Three times down the stretch last year, VY hit Jones for key 4th quarter touchdowns. He knows who butters bis bread. Jones is fearless over the middle and seemed to have the best timing with VY of any of the Tennessee WRs last year. Unless someone from "the pack" at WR really steps up in the offseason, I don't see how he's not the primary WR target, especially on play action and in the red zone.

Excellent point Bloom.To those who've seen the Titans play a lot in 2006 (I admittedly did not), can you compare Brandon Jones' skill set to the other Titans youngsters?

 

[Otis]

Love this kid -- great value this season.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Three times down the stretch last year, VY hit Jones for key 4th quarter touchdowns. He knows who butters bis bread. Jones is fearless over the middle and seemed to have the best timing with VY of any of the Tennessee WRs last year. Unless someone from "the pack" at WR really steps up in the offseason, I don't see how he's not the primary WR target, especially on play action and in the red zone.

Excellent point Bloom.To those who've seen the Titans play a lot in 2006 (I admittedly did not), can you compare Brandon Jones' skill set to the other Titans youngsters?

To be honest, it's very difficult to make any sort of conclusions about Roydell Williams, Courtney Roby, or Jon Orr - they just haven't played enough to draw any conclusions. Justin Gage had a few flashes with Chicago but gave way to Berrian, Davis, and Bradley. The rooks are even bigger unknowns than the 2nd and 3rd year guys. Here's a stab at each guy in a nutshell:Williams - more of a possession WR coming out of Tulane, but Jim Wyatt called him explosive - hasnt stayed healthyRoby - RAC threat, quick, shifty coming out of Indiana - hasnt stayed healthyOrr - circus catch type, long limbed and good speed - team stashed him last year - fell in the draft when he got hurt in the predraft periodGage - jumpball specialist - never lived up to athletic potential as former basketball playerChris Davis - little slot receiver/returner type - think Bobby WadePaul Williams - first round talent, long limbs, strong runner after catch, great athlete, but focus/dedication is a huge ?Joel Filani - big possession WR type, but slow twitch, not particularly gifted in any way

 

[faux_bear]

So you guys think Brandon Jones is someone you want to target in dynasty leagues more than re-draft leagues, or is it too hard to say? I mean, how much upside does he really have?

 

[waylander]

Brandon Jones is the most talented WR on the roster. He came out of college very polished, (Mark Bradley, who?) and it seems a lot of people have forgotten that he was leading all rookies in receptions until he got hurt. Last year he was as productive as anyone could expect coming off that injury. As a matter of fact he still showed improvement. I think his upside rivals most of the leagues 3rd year WR's.

In his recent interview on Sirius he said he has spent a lot of time with VY in the offseason, and have become fast friends. I think that chemistry will show this year.

Comparing him to any other WR on the roster is just a waste of time. All the WR's that was in his draft class, and drafted since have hardly been able to sniff the field because none of them could force Jones off the field for their own playing time.

 

[Hawk]

Three times down the stretch last year, VY hit Jones for key 4th quarter touchdowns. He knows who butters bis bread. Jones is fearless over the middle and seemed to have the best timing with VY of any of the Tennessee WRs last year. Unless someone from "the pack" at WR really steps up in the offseason, I don't see how he's not the primary WR target, especially on play action and in the red zone.

Excellent point Bloom.To those who've seen the Titans play a lot in 2006 (I admittedly did not), can you compare Brandon Jones' skill set to the other Titans youngsters?

Bloom already addressed this, but I'll echo his comment that it is really hard to answer this question because Bennett, Wade, and B.Jones had nearly all of the WR stats for Tennessee last season so the other guys have not played much. IMO, the plays made by Bennett and Wade all year were of the bland variety, nothing special, nothing that any of these younger guys wouldn't have a chance at doing, and Bennett dropped a lot of balls. In fact in limited action, Roydell Williams and Roby both had more memorable plays than pretty much any of Bennett's or Wade's. Roydell had a great, acrobatic catch along the sideline in one game that he was almost able to turn upfield for a TD, and Roby threw an incredible crushing block on two Texan players during Vince's overtime TD run (didn't matter, Vince was in, but a great block nonetheless). The bottom line is that as the season wore on, B.Jones was clearly the best big play guy the Titans had and he and Vince seemed to develop the best chemistry out of the group. Plus B.Jones was one of the WR's that Vince brought down to Houston between minicamps this off-season to work out together and bond off the field too. if you read and hear B.Jones doing interviews, it's clear he loves Vince and thinks they can do great things this season. All that leads me to believe that B.Jones will be Vince's main target at WR. Outside of B.Jones however, there is no way to know yet which of the other guys might step up or break out. We'll have to see during training camp and pre-season. If I had to guess, I'd say Roydell Williams has the best chance of the other WR's, and Chow has mentioned him as doing well in some of Chow's recent interviews. Maybe P.Williams too since he's probably the most physically gifted of the other guys, but he's a rookie, so we'll have to see how he develops.

 

[Hawk]

Brandon Jones is the most talented WR on the roster. He came out of college very polished, (Mark Bradley, who?) and it seems a lot of people have forgotten that he was leading all rookies in receptions until he got hurt. Last year he was as productive as anyone could expect coming off that injury. As a matter of fact he still showed improvement. I think his upside rivals most of the leagues 3rd year WR's. In his recent interview on Sirius he said he has spent a lot of time with VY in the offseason, and have become fast friends. I think that chemistry will show this year.Comparing him to any other WR on the roster is just a waste of time. All the WR's that was in his draft class, and drafted since have hardly been able to sniff the field because none of them could force Jones off the field for their own playing time.

Ha ha, I heard that interview on Sirius also, as well as others. I'll say this, if kissing your QB's ### will guarantee you more targets, then B.Jones will definitely have the most WR targets on the team.

 

[waylander]

Brandon Jones is the most talented WR on the roster. He came out of college very polished, (Mark Bradley, who?) and it seems a lot of people have forgotten that he was leading all rookies in receptions until he got hurt. Last year he was as productive as anyone could expect coming off that injury. As a matter of fact he still showed improvement. I think his upside rivals most of the leagues 3rd year WR's. In his recent interview on Sirius he said he has spent a lot of time with VY in the offseason, and have become fast friends. I think that chemistry will show this year.Comparing him to any other WR on the roster is just a waste of time. All the WR's that was in his draft class, and drafted since have hardly been able to sniff the field because none of them could force Jones off the field for their own playing time.

Ha ha, I heard that interview on Sirius also, as well as others. I'll say this, if kissing your QB's ### will guarantee you more targets, then B.Jones will definitely have the most WR targets on the team.

Let's be honest, unless you just can't stand Vince Young, there aren't many of us not kissing his ###.

 

[Otis]

I'll say it again -- he could be the best value WR on the board this year, period.

 

[Keith Lewis]

60 - 1000 - 7

Major upsdie, 3rd year breakout candidate.

 

[rzrback77]

I just don't see the reasons for so much optimism for Brandon Jones. I'll give you that he has a good chance to be the Titan's leading WR, but even that would not guarantee fantasy success. His first two years don't show much:

05 - 10 gms 47 targets 23 catches (48.9%) 299 yds 13.0 ypc and 2 TDs

06 - 16 gms 54 targets 27 catches (50.0%) 384 yds 14.2 ypc and 4 TDs

Looks like an increase of 7 targets, but six more games. I also am not ready a huge Vince Young fan, especially the passing numbers. I think that Young will always lean to running a little more than passing, when he's in a pinch. I also feel that David Givens will be a guy that will have an opportunity to play a lot, if he's healed from his injury troubles. Really all the WRs should get some playing time and I just don't see the separation of Jones over the pack. Additionally, the TEs ad RBs should also contribute in the passing attack and with the limited overall expectations for Young's passing (2,600 yards or so), I just don't see usable fantasy players among the Titan WRs.

Brandon Jones 78 targets 42 catches (53.8%) for 588 yards (14.0 ypc) and 4 TDs

 

[Pipes]

I just don't see the reasons for so much optimism for Brandon Jones. I'll give you that he has a good chance to be the Titan's leading WR, but even that would not guarantee fantasy success. His first two years don't show much:05 - 10 gms 47 targets 23 catches (48.9%) 299 yds 13.0 ypc and 2 TDs06 - 16 gms 54 targets 27 catches (50.0%) 384 yds 14.2 ypc and 4 TDsLooks like an increase of 7 targets, but six more games. I also am not ready a huge Vince Young fan, especially the passing numbers. I think that Young will always lean to running a little more than passing, when he's in a pinch. I also feel that David Givens will be a guy that will have an opportunity to play a lot, if he's healed from his injury troubles. Really all the WRs should get some playing time and I just don't see the separation of Jones over the pack. Additionally, the TEs ad RBs should also contribute in the passing attack and with the limited overall expectations for Young's passing (2,600 yards or so), I just don't see usable fantasy players among the Titan WRs.Brandon Jones 78 targets 42 catches (53.8%) for 588 yards (14.0 ypc) and 4 TDs

These numbers are misleading since his rookie since was cut short with a knee injury and while he played 16 games in 2006 he wasn't anywhere near full strength until the end of the year. 60 Rec 825 Yards and 7 Tds.

 

[shadyridr]

I just don't see the reasons for so much optimism for Brandon Jones. I'll give you that he has a good chance to be the Titan's leading WR, but even that would not guarantee fantasy success. His first two years don't show much:

05 - 10 gms 47 targets 23 catches (48.9%) 299 yds 13.0 ypc and 2 TDs

06 - 16 gms 54 targets 27 catches (50.0%) 384 yds 14.2 ypc and 4 TDs

Looks like an increase of 7 targets, but six more games. I also am not ready a huge Vince Young fan, especially the passing numbers. I think that Young will always lean to running a little more than passing, when he's in a pinch. I also feel that David Givens will be a guy that will have an opportunity to play a lot, if he's healed from his injury troubles. Really all the WRs should get some playing time and I just don't see the separation of Jones over the pack. Additionally, the TEs ad RBs should also contribute in the passing attack and with the limited overall expectations for Young's passing (2,600 yards or so), I just don't see usable fantasy players among the Titan WRs.

Brandon Jones 78 targets 42 catches (53.8%) for 588 yards (14.0 ypc) and 4 TDs

Isnt he out for the year?

 

[rzrback77]

I just don't see the reasons for so much optimism for Brandon Jones. I'll give you that he has a good chance to be the Titan's leading WR, but even that would not guarantee fantasy success. His first two years don't show much:

05 - 10 gms 47 targets 23 catches (48.9%) 299 yds 13.0 ypc and 2 TDs

06 - 16 gms 54 targets 27 catches (50.0%) 384 yds 14.2 ypc and 4 TDs

Looks like an increase of 7 targets, but six more games. I also am not ready a huge Vince Young fan, especially the passing numbers. I think that Young will always lean to running a little more than passing, when he's in a pinch. I also feel that David Givens will be a guy that will have an opportunity to play a lot, if he's healed from his injury troubles. Really all the WRs should get some playing time and I just don't see the separation of Jones over the pack. Additionally, the TEs ad RBs should also contribute in the passing attack and with the limited overall expectations for Young's passing (2,600 yards or so), I just don't see usable fantasy players among the Titan WRs.

Brandon Jones 78 targets 42 catches (53.8%) for 588 yards (14.0 ypc) and 4 TDs

Isnt he out for the year?

latest FBG blogger May 25th - Givens MAY open the year on the PUP List, similar report to Kevin Jones.