Green Bay Packers receiver [intlink id=”204″ type=”category”]James Jones[/intlink] is likely to have some suitors once free agency begins, providing the new collective bargaining agreement allows him to become a free agent as expected.
Jones’ name has already been mentioned in Cleveland, where the Browns have one of the worst receiving corps in the league. In 2010, the Browns’ leading receivers were tight end Ben Watson (68 receptions) and running back Peyton Hillis (61).
Jones would immediately become the Browns’ No. 1 receiver, a role he’s known to relish.
The [intlink id=”86″ type=”category”]Cincinnati Bengals[/intlink] are also looking for help at receiver. The team isn’t planning on bringing back leading receiver Terrell Owens and there are reports they’d like to trade second-leading receiver Chad Ochocinco. That leaves the team with Jordan Shipley and a big hole.
Then there’s the [intlink id=”35″ type=”category”]Minnesota Vikings[/intlink], where former Packers go to die. The Vikings top receiver, Sidney Rice, is in the same boat as Jones — likely to hit the open market. If Rice leaves, the Vikings have Percy Harvin and a giant hole to fill.
All three options would give Jones an opportunity to start and that probably looks more appealing than sitting around, waiting for [intlink id=”76″ type=”category”]Donald Driver[/intlink] to retire.
From the Packers’ perspective, losing Jones isn’t the end of the world. He’s shown a penchant for dropping balls and will probably get overpaid by a desperate team in free agency.
[intlink id=”22″ type=”category”]Jordy Nelson[/intlink] showed he’s capable of stepping into the No. 3 receiver role in the Super Bowl. The team would, however, need to add another receiver in the draft.
Unfortunately, it looks like Jones’ days with the Packers are coming to an end.