Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
In a not-so-shocking turn of events, the Oakland Raiders released veteran wide receiver James Jones on Monday after one subpar season with the team. While it’s a disappointing move considering the hype that surrounded his signing in 2014, it was the one logical option the Raiders had.
During his one season in Oakland, Jones was far from the reliable receiver he looked like with the Green Bay Packers. He hauled in 73 receptions, but managed only 9.3 yards per catch and found the endzone only six times as the Raiders’ top target. By season’s end, he was an irrelevant part of the offense.
With the offseason addition of Michael Crabtree and the selection of Amari Cooper this weekend during the 2015 NFL Draft, Jones was essentially cancelled out. Crabtree offers a similar skill set, yet isn’t as old or slow. Cooper is primed to take over as the Raiders’ No. 1 receiver, which would have left the 31-year-old Jones to battle for the No. 3 or No. 4 job.
Instead of taking that route, though, the Raiders chose to simply save themselves nearly $3.5 million in salary cap space, a number that Jones was clearly not worth at this point in his career.
It’s a frustrating end to his short time in Oakland, but Jones simply wasn’t the difference maker the Raiders were hoping for. He’s clearly nearing the end of his NFL career, and didn’t prove in 2014 to be a reliable option for budding quarterback Derek Carr.
Don’t be surprised if Jones has taken his last NFL snaps. Even if he is picked up by another team, chances are he’ll have a tough time earning a spot on a 53-man roster in 2015.
