The Buffalo Bills will begin exploring all options as they have to cut their roster down to 53 players by the end of the week. One of those options could be looking at the trade market and a third-year receiver could garner interest across the league.
The Buffalo Bills coaching staff and front office has been evaluating their roster the past few weeks in preparation of having to cut the roster almost in half down to the league mandated 53 players after the final preseason game. One position that has great depth, and will involve a tough discussion leading up to the cuts, is at wide receiver.
At this point, the Bills are going to lose some talented players at the position but instead of not getting anything in return, the team could make some receivers available via trade.
If this is the case, the moves made recently by the Bills’ coaches in regards to Zay Jones would make a little more sense.
The third-year wide receiver has had an roller coaster career with the Buffalo Bills ever since they selected him in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. During his rookie season, he struggled with drops and only caught 27 of 74 targets for 316 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
However, he took a step forward in his second season in the league and led the Bills in receptions (56), receiving yards (652) and receiving touchdowns (7). Last season provided some hope for the young receiver going forward and entering training camp he seemed to have a firm grasp on a spot at the top of the depth chart, alongside John Brown and Cole Beasley.
In recent weeks though, the coaching staff has asked Jones to do things not usually requested of a receiver at the top of the depth chart. According to Matt Parrino, Jones has begun practicing on special teams, something he has never done in his career. The positive that came from this, and this is credit to Jones’ character, is he did not question the request and was willing to help the team anyway he can.
"“I knew that I could do it and I knew I was capable of doing it. I think that’s a key of winning games – to be unselfish,” Jones said. “You gotta try to put your team first – whatever it takes to win (at) whatever position it is. It may be a little bit uncomfortable for you at first but you go do it with a good attitude and then you get good results off of it.”"
While this is an odd request from the coaching staff, this was not the only sign that Zay Jones could be on the trade block. During the third preseason game against the Detroit Lions, a game where most starters came out before halftime, Jones stayed in the game into the fourth quarter. When asked about this, McDermott said it was to get him more work.
McDermott on Zay Jones playing into the 4th quarter - We wanted to get him some more work... made a big catch out there today
— WGR 550 (@WGR550) August 24, 2019
Jones certainly did get some work with a few big catches and finished the game with three receptions for 46 yards.
While Zay Jones is likely not going to be cut, the Buffalo Bills could be exploring trade options for the third year receiver. The fact that he can play almost any receiver position on the field, shown a willingness to play special teams in addition to the fact that he is only 24 years of age, as well as having two years remaining on his rookie contract.
These are all things that makes Jones the type of player that other NFL teams would be willing to offer something in return through a trade. General manager Brandon Beane has shown a desire to wheel and deal during his time with the Buffalo Bills. Could Zay Jones be the next player moved?