Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee during the season opener against the Denver Broncos, but returned to practice a couple weeks ago and was active for Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers. He was eased back into action, playing just 20 snaps, but had two catches for 42 yards and a touchdown in the game.
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Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh suggested that Jones’ offensive role will grow going forward, but should that put him on the radar of fantasy football owners?
Jones became something of a household name based on his performance in Super Bowl XLVII, as he had a kickoff return touchdown and a receiving touchdown in Baltimore’s win over the San Francisco 49ers. But he has been an underachiever during the regular season, with career-highs of 51 receptions for 562 yards (2010) and six touchdowns (2009) during his time with the Houston Texans from 2007-2011. In his first season with the Ravens in 2012, Jones had 30 receptions for 406 yards and one touchdown along with three return touchdowns (two kickoff, one punt) while playing all 16 games.
Jones’ return to health is likely to have a negative impact on the fantasy value of Marlon Brown, who became a popular waiver wire addition after catching a touchdown in three of the season’s first four games but he missed Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins with a thigh injury and had three catches for 71 yards against the Packers last week.
Jones is widely available in Yahoo! leagues right now (17 percent ownership), which may make him an appealing waiver wire option in 12 and 14-team leagues and he has more value in leagues that count return yardage. But the only obviously favorable matchup on his upcoming schedule is in Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings, who enter Week 7 having allowed at least 22 fantasy points (ESPN scoring) to opposing wide receivers in four straight games. So I’m skeptical about Jones’ ultimate impact for fantasy owners this year, even with the possibility he sees more snaps and targets over the next several weeks.
Brad Berreman is a contributing writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradberreman24.
