A look at Marvin Jones

Marvin Jones has been linked to the Patriots for some time now. The Patriots reportedly wanted to trade for him before the deadline and it's rumored the club will pursue him in free agency. It's debatable if Jones is a true number one but he is an elite number two. Jones was the Lions number one, with Hockenson a close number two. 

Here's why the Patriots are going to like him. Jones Stands 6'2" and weights 198 pounds. That's a little big for a slot but that's what Jones is. Jones also has the ability to play the flanker position as well but is not the most desirable target at the X receiver role.

Jones ran a 4.4 forty time and a 6.8 three cone drill. Jones's  bread and butter are the short to intermediate routes, so he should fit in with the Patriots offense and be able to fill that Danny Amendola role as the number two slot, allowing Meyers and Lee to focus on being the flanker. Leaving Harry the odd man out unless he converts to U-Tight End. Olszewski would also likely be gone.

Player profiler ranked Jones the 40th best at getting separation and the 3rd best in drops. They also ranked him 5th in contested catches, 22nd in receptions and 19th in receiving yards.

Jones is a decent blocker and can help in the punt return game, making Gunner Olszewski expendable. While Jones has not been used in the NFL, he returned 14 punts in his final year of college for a 7.3 yard average.

In 2020, Jones caught 76 of his 115 targets for 978 yards and 9 touchdowns. Jones had the benefit of Matt Stafford throwing him the ball. If the Patriots were serious about signing him,  it would probably be a front loaded 3 year, $17 million dollar contract.

The thing that may chase Jones away is the Patriots don't currently have a plan at quarterback and Cam Newton's 2020 performance could be enough to scare off any pass catcher of value if he returns in 2021. Plus Jones isn't the type of pass catcher Newton needs.

The Patriots  will still need an X receiver which they could get in the draft or possible free agency if they are smart about it. A signing that could make sense if they bring in Jones, is Corey Davis on a front loaded 3 year $19 million contract. That would give the Patriots an X receiver and allow them to develop a rookie X. Never the less, Jones and Edelman would give the Patriots two number two receivers and if Lee returns at top form, three number two receivers, and then there's Meyers who could improve.