Jags cut WR Jones after picking Thomas in draft
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Michael DiRocco, ESPN Staff Writer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jaguars released receiver Zay Jones on Tuesday morning, less than a week after drafting a receiver in the first round of the NFL draft.
The Jaguars save $4.49 million against the salary cap by releasing Jones, who signed a three-year contract with the team in March 2022. His release was among a list of moves the team made Tuesday, which included releasing kicker Joey Slye.
The Jaguars drafted LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick Thursday. Thomas led FBS with 17 touchdown catches in 2023. In addition, veteran receiver Jarvis Landry, a five-time Pro Bowl selection who did not play in the NFL last season, will be participating in the Jaguars’ May 10-11 rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
Jones caught 116 passes for 1,144 yards and seven touchdowns in two seasons with the Jaguars, including career highs in receptions (82) and receiving yards (823) in 2022. Jones missed eight games in 2023 because of a lingering knee injury that he suffered early in the season.
Jones was arrested in November and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery after an argument with the mother of his child allegedly resulted in an injury to her neck, according to an arrest and booking report. The Florida state attorney’s office announced in March that it would not pursue the charges against Jones and the case was dropped.
Jones, 29, was a second-round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2017 and caught 90 passes for 1,037 yards and nine touchdowns in 36 games with the Bills. He was traded to the Oakland Raiders in October 2019 and caught 81 passes for 847 yards and two touchdowns in 43 games with the Raiders.
Jones signed a three-year, $24 million contract with $14 million guaranteed with the Jaguars in March 2022.
Slye signed a one-year, $1.29 million contract with $25,000 guaranteed in March. The Jaguars drafted Arkansas kicker Cam Little in the sixth round Saturday. Veteran kicker Riley Patterson remains on the roster.
The Jaguars also announced Tuesday they had agreed to terms with 13 undrafted free agents.
