5 remaining free agent options for the Detroit Lions to replace DJ Chark

5. Marvin Jones

2022 Team: Jacksonville Jaguars

The idea of Jones coming back to the Lions has ramped up, as it appeared Chark wouldn’t be back and a replacement would possibly be sought elsewhere on the market. He was bumped down the pecking order in Jacksonville by the free agent additions of Christian Kirk, Zay Jones and Evan Engram last offseason. So his production dropped to 46 catches last season, after he had a solid 73 catches for 832 yards for the Jaguars in 2021–which was easy to miss with all the Urban Meyer turmoil around that team then.

In his last season as a Lion, 2020, Jones had 76 receptions and nine touchdowns as he neared 1,000 yards (978). He had over 900 yards in three of five seasons as a Lion, and exactly nine touchdowns in three of five campaigns too (two seasons with both).

The age cliff may be coming, or it may be here, for the 33-year old Jones. But he would be a solid veteran presence for the Lions’ wide receiver corps, and in the locker room as a whole. It appears he has more than a little left in the tank, as a vertical threat with some red zone prowess to replace the role Chark had.