There were rumors the Green Bay Packers were dangling receiver James Jones as trade bait before the draft. It appears he’s still available.
Lance Zierlein of the Houston Chronicle mentioned Jones as a possibility for the Texans when discussing the team’s receivers not named Andre Johnson.
Frankly, trading Jones would make things easy for the Packers, although they’d lose one of their deep threats. Since the team is intent on keeping Donald Driver this season, moving Jones would also make room for one of their practice squad guys — Tori Gurley or Diondre Borel. If the Packers keep six receivers, moving Jones would make room for both.
As we’ve discussed, both promising youngsters are expected to sign elsewhere if they don’t make the Packers active roster.
The problem with trading Jones is another team may balk at his contract. His base salary is $2.3 million this season and $2.95 million next season. That’s not bad for a starting receiver, but Jones has never had more than 700 receiving yards in a season. Some might say that makes him overpaid.
Since there wasn’t much interest in Jones when he was a free agent, there might not be much demand for him in the trade market. That is, until another team loses one of their receivers to injury.
Stay tuned.