James Jones

Throw Jones’ hat in the ring in the greatest-year-over-year-quarterback-downgrade-of-all-time competition. After posting reliably good per-play numbers with Aaron Rodgers, the 30-year old Jones heads to Oakland where he’ll likely slot in as one of Matt Schaub’s top targets. At 6-1, 208 and with modest 4.59 40 speed, Jones profiles as more of a complementary target than a No. 1 receiver. He’ll compete primarily with Rod Streater and Denarius Moore for opportunities in an Oakland offense that’s likely to be below average.

In 2011 Jordy Nelson was the anomaly, scoring 15 touchdowns on only 96 targets. Last year it was Jones, taking 14 to the house on a mere 98. Oddly, despite the gaudy scoring numbers, Jones had a pedestrian year, averaging only 8.0 YPT and 12.3 YPC, way down from his 11.5 and 16.7, respectively, during the 2011 season when he scored only seven times. It was his 20 red-zone looks (T-6th), 11 red-zone scores (2nd), nine looks from inside the 10 (T-8th) and six inside-the-10 scores (T-1st) that contributed to the unsustainably high TD totals. At 6-1, 208 and with good speed, Jones has decent physical tools, but he managed only 11 catches of 20-plus yards and one grab of 40 or more. The best thing Jones has going for him is his status as one of the top-three receivers in an Aaron Rodgers-led offense now that Greg Jennings skipped town for Minnesota.

Being a 55-target, No. 4 receiver is fairly useless – unless you play for the Packers. Jones averaged a whopping 11.5 YPT and 16.7 YPC, giving him 635 yards and seven scores despite just five red-zone looks all year. At 6-1, 208, and with good speed, Jones is able to get open down the field – he had three catches of 40 yards or more despite the low target numbers. Heading into 2012, Donald Driver will be 37, and if Jones could some of Driver’s targets, he’d be worth using in most leagues. Just keep in mind that last year’s second-round draft pick Randall Cobb is quicker and more versatile than Jones and could see a bigger role in the offense. And in any event, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley are Aaron Rodgers’ top targets.

One of the Packers' four main wideouts, Jones showed flashes at times but ultimately was inconsistent, dropping six of his 87 targets and averaging just 7.8 YPT despite playing with one of the best quarterbacks in the league. And it's hard to forget his momentous drop during the first half of last February's Super Bowl on a slant that almost certainly would have gone to the house. At 6-0, 207 and with good speed, Jones has the physical tools to make plays down the field, and he's dangerous after the catch. After re-signing with the Packers, he's probably the team's No. 4 wideout with Donald Driver returning and after Jordy Nelson's strong showing in the Super Bowl.

Jones caught 32 passes for 440 yards and five touchdowns in 2009. He could probably start for a number of NFL teams, but Green Bay has a number of quality WR. Jones will compete for the third WR spot with Jordy Nelson.

Jones made a major statistical regression from his rookie to sophomore year, but much of the drop-off can be attributed to a knee injury that limited him to ten games. His 2009 productivity will hinge on the outcome of an expected training camp battle between Jones and Jordy Nelson for the No. 3 receiver spot, although even if one is declared a "winner," the two will likely be frequently rotated in and out. Both make for decent late-round picks in deep leagues.

After an impressive rookie season where he flashed some potential, Jones is locked in as the Packers' number three receiver. Jones should approach his season totals from 2007 (47 receptions, 676 yards), but could rise or fall depending on his new quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.

Jones is a speedster who has a good chance of making an impact for the Packers as a special teams player, if not the No. 3 or No. 4 receiver position. His greatest assets are his ability to make plays in traffic and gain yards after the catch.