Detroit Lions: Keep Marvin Jones or Golden Tate long-term?
Realistically, the Detroit Lions can only keep one star receiver long-term. Who would you choose? Marvin Jones or Golden Tate?
Wide receiver Golden Tate has asked for an extension dating back to 2017. Another pass catcher getting underpaid is his counterpart Marvin Jones. The Detroit Lions have some decisions to make.
Since coming to Lions in 2014, Tate has been a force, getting 1,000 yards three times and having 90 plus catches every year. No receiver was better than him in forcing missed tackles and racking up yards after the catch last season.
Jones has been productive dating back to 2016 when he first arrived in Detroit. Last season, he recorded 1,000 yards for the first time in his career and led the NFL in yards per reception.
The Lions were the only team to have two receivers cross the 1,000 yard threshold. They’re probably the most underpaid duo league wide. $7 million is the base salary both receivers will make in 2018.
When push comes to shove, only one guy gets the big pay-day and stays in Detroit for the foreseeable future. Which receiver makes the most sense to keep?
Tate is elite on underneath routes while Jones is elite on deep routes. It’s no easy decision in the end.
Jones has the edge as the bigger chunk play-maker and is younger (28) but would probably cost more. Tate is almost 30 but is the more durable, reliable pass catcher and might cost less.
To come to the final decision, the biggest factor to take into account is replaceability. If Jones has another quality season and isn’t given a pay raise, he can opt out of his contract in 2019.
Second year receiver Kenny Golladay flashed in 11 games for the Lions. A lot like Jones, he is a great depth threat. If he caught enough passes, he would’ve had the fourth highest yards per reception total in the NFL.
Golladay is a bigger, more souped-up version of Jones and is younger and cheaper. This makes the 7th year vet fairly expendable.
The closest player skill-set wise to Tate has barely played in the NFL and has no catches to his name. Granted, Jace Billingsley might have the best name on the team. Likely the fifth receiver, he could breakout and make the decision to keep Showtime much harder.
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Taking everything into the equation, Tate is my choice to stay a Lion, hopefully til he retires. He’s unlike any receiver in the league and is harder to replace.
2018 is likely the last year we see the Tate/Jones combination. However things end up, let’s enjoy the ride while it lasts.