Zay Jones completes renovated Arizona Cardinals WR room

TEMPE — It’s amazing what an offseason can do.

The Arizona Cardinals entered their timeout with a deficit when it came to the wide receiver room.

Even before Hollywood Brown (free agency) and Rondale Moore (trade) went elsewhere, an overhaul was sorely needed.

The first – and largest – phase of this thinking came to fruition in the 2024 NFL Draft, with general manager Monti Ossenfort selecting generational talent Marvin Harrison Jr. 4th overall.

The room behind Harrison, second-year pro Michael Wilson and slot man Greg Dortch, however, still had question marks and deep concerns.

It just felt like another veteran option that had proven effective on the outside was still a major need for what this offense wants to accomplish in year two under Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon.

But after agreeing to terms with free agent wide receiver Zay Jones on Friday, that need now appears to be filled.

Playing primarily on the outside during his time with the Buffalo Bills (2017-2019), Las Vegas Raiders (2019-21) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2022-23), the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Jones has amassed 287 caught. for 3,028 yards and 18 touchdowns in seven seasons of work (104 games played).

When the goals were there, so was the production. In the two seasons (2018 in Buffalo and 2022 in Jacksonville) he saw at least 100 targets come his way, Jones accumulated at least 56 catches, 652 yards and five touchdowns.

He’s also not that far from his best run as a pro.

Starting 15 of 16 games played, Jones recorded 82 receptions on 121 targets for 823 yards and five scores in his first season with Jacksonville in 2022.

In addition to his production, Jones brings with him valuable availability, having played in at least 15 games in all but one season (2023). As we’ve seen this offseason, that’s a major plus in Gannon and Ossenfort’s book.

There’s obviously still a way to go before the pads and competitions arrive, but at least for now, Arizona’s receiving woes appear to be behind them.

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