Detroit Lions wide receiver puts on a show early at training camp

Under a new offensive coordinator, this Detroit Lions’ veteran wide receiver must prove he’s worth his large price tag. So far, in training camp, he has.

There has been a lot of talk about the Detroit Lions‘ offense this offseason. Most of the headlines covered the hiring of new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and the drafting of tight end T.J. Hockenson. Running back Kerryon Johnson also got a lot of love following a stellar rookie campaign.

The Lions parted ways with Pro Bowl offensive guard T.J. Lang earlier this year and moved 2018 first-rounder Frank Ragnow from left guard to center. And when covering Detroit’s wide receiver corps, much of the news has been about the emergence of Kenny Golladay as a budding superstar and the signing of former New England Patriots receiver Danny Amendola via free agency.

Much of the talk surrounding veteran wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. has been speculation he could become a casualty of the salary cap. The 29-year-old wideout is scheduled to make a cap hit just over $18 million over the final two years of his current contract. That according to Spotrac.com.

The fact Jones is coming off a season-ending knee injury, missing the Lions’ entire offseason training program, only served to flame that speculation. The injury limited the seven-year receiver to just nine games in 2018, posting 35 receptions for 508 yards and five touchdowns.

With a yearly price tag now over $9 million, having missed seven games due to injury last year, and the sudden rise of Golladay as the team’s top receiver; Jones could be playing for his job this summer. And according to one insider, he’s off to a great start.

Here’s what DetroitLions.com’s Tim Twentyman reported on the team’s official website following the third day of training camp.

"“Marvin Jones Jr. had a terrific day. It started in one-on-one drills against the cornerbacks. In the first rep of the drill he blazed by Teez Tabor for a long touchdown. He caught another ball on a deep out in front of Rashaan Melvin in one on one’s. Jones opened a team period later in practice getting behind defenders on a deep crossing route for a big play.”"

This could very well be a make-or-break season for Marvin Jones Jr. in Detroit. The Lions’ brass has shown they’re unafraid to move on from pricey receivers nearing 30 years of age, trading Golden Tate away just last season. But a strong showing by Jones this summer should go a long way in securing his place on the roster.