Week 4 vs. New Orleans Saints
Kenny Golladay returned to the Detroit lineup last week, which meant Marvin Jones received only three targets from Matthew Stafford, after combining for 14 the first two games. He caught all his looks for 51 yards and has been over 50 yards or scored in all three contests this season. Jones has a favorable matchup at home versus a below average New Orleans pass defense. He should be used as a WR3/flex option.
Week 3 at Arizona Cardinals
With Kenny Golladay out again last Sunday against the Pack, Marvin Jones received six targets, leading to four grabs, 23 yards and his first score of the season. While his looks were just one shy of the team-leading seven to Danny Amendola, Jones did not register a catch for more than eight yards. Even if Golladay is back this week to help draw more attention, Detroit is facing Arizona’s No. 8 pass defense. Jones is at best a WR3/flex option.
Week 2 at Green Bay Packers
In the tough loss to the Bears last week, Marvin Jones finished with four receptions for 55 yards on eight targets. Without Kenny Golladay, it was Quintez Cephus who led Detroit with 10 targets and Danny Amendola with 81 yards. Jones will continue to receive looks from Matthew Stafford and has a good matchup at Green Bay on Sunday. The Pack allowed Kirk Cousins to pass for over 250 yards and a couple TDs in the opener, although much of that came with the Vikings trying to play catchup. If Golladay can't go, Jones should post good numbers.
Week 1 – Marvin Jones vs. Chicago Bears
After missing the last three games in ’19 due to an ankle injury, Marvin Jones is healthy and will be back in the starting lineup for the regular season opener. Even with multiple Lions QBs last season he was having a solid season, collecting 62 receptions for 779 yards and nine touchdowns. As long as Jones can stay healthy, he should be primed for another good year. In the opener consider him a WR3/flex play.
Fantasy Upside
Prior to Matthew Stafford getting hurt last season, Marvin Jones was the No. 15 WR in PPR scoring. In ’19 he was the No. 27 WR before getting injured himself (ankle) and missing the final three games. Overall, in his 13 games last year he finished with 62 receptions for 779 yards and nine touchdowns. The number of grabs and scores were the second-most he’s posted during his seven-year career. When both Stafford and Jones were healthy in ’17, he finished as the No. 11 PPR WR.
Fantasy Downside
What a rollercoaster season it was for Jones in ’19. He failed to reach 50 yards in seven of 13 contests and scored six of his nine TDs in just two games, with four of those coming in one outing. Jones will again lineup opposite of Kenny Golladay, who is the team’s clear No. 1 wideout and T.J. Hockenson should receive plenty of looks in his second season too. Staying healthy has been an issue as Jones has missed 10 games the past two seasons.
Bottom Line
At 30 years of age, Jones could be nearing the downhill part of his career, especially for a WR who’s missed action due to injury. While Kenny Golladay is the Lions’ top WR, Jones still sees plenty of looks from Stafford, finishing with just three fewer receptions than Golladay in ’19. Detroit signed former Packer Geronimo Allison, who could push Jones for playing time, but expect another solid season from the veteran. He’s a good WR3 option for your fantasy team.
Week 15 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
David Blough threw for just over 200 yards last Sunday at Minnesota with Marvin Jones snagging three passes for just 38 yards. In the two games with Blough at QB Jones is averaging three grabs for 39 yards and has been held to less than 50 yards in four in a row. He has nine scores in ’19 and will be facing the league’s second-worst pass defense at home this week. Despite the low yardage totals recently Jones should be considered a WR2.
Week 14 at Minnesota Vikings
Even though the Lions were forced to start David Blough at QB on Thanksgiving Marvin Jones still had a productive fantasy day, snagging three passes for 40 yards and his ninth score of the season. Blough has had a full week of practice before going back under center on Sunday at Minnesota, which should help Jones and the Detroit passing game. In the October home loss to the Vikings, he exploded for 93 yards and four TDs. While a repeat outing may be too much to ask for, he should be used as a WR2 start.
Week 13 vs. Chicago Bears
In the loss to the Redskins last week, Marvin Jones led Detroit with five receptions for 46 yards. He was targeted 11 times by Jeff Driskel, which was the second-highest looks he’s received this season. The Lions passing attack has taken a dip with Driskel at QB and things won’t get easier with the rematch versus a solid Bears defense on Thanksgiving. In the defeat at Chicago earlier this month Jones finished with five catches for 77 yards.
Week 12 at Washington Redskins
In the loss the Dallas last week, Marvin Jones had another good fantasy outing, even with Jeff Driskel as the Lions’ signal-caller. Jones caught four passes for 43 yards and two TDs, bringing his ’19 total to eight. On the season he’s averaging five grabs for 66 yards and has a good matchup on Sunday against a Redskins defense that was recently torched by Sam Darnold. Consider Jones a WR3/flex play.
Week 11 vs. Dallas Cowboys
With Jeff Driskel at QB for the Lions last week against the Bears, Marvin Jones led Detroit with 77 yards on five grabs. Most of that productivity came on the team’s desperation final drive when he snagged three passes for 53 yards. On the season, Jones is averaging seven targets and over five receptions. The Cowboys allow less than 220 passing yards per game, making Jones a WR2 play, as long as Matthew Stafford is back. If Driskel is at the helm again, that drops Jones to a WR3/flex start.
