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Zay Jones

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Zay Jones
refer to caption
Jones with the Oakland Raiders in 2019
No. 17 – Arizona Cardinals
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1995-03-30) March 30, 1995 (age 29)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Stephen F. Austin
(Austin, Texas)
College:East Carolina (2013–2016)
NFL draft:2017 / round: 2 / pick: 37
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Receptions:287
Receiving yards:3,028
Receiving touchdowns:18
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Isaiah Avery "Zay" Jones (born March 30, 1995) is an American professional football player who is a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at East Carolina. Jones is the all-time NCAA Division I career receptions leader with 399 as well as the all-time NCAA Division I single-season receptions leader with 158.

Early life

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Jones was born on March 30, 1995, in Dallas, Texas, the son of Robert Jones, a former football player who spent ten years in the NFL, and Maneesha Jones.[1] He has two brothers, Cayleb and Levi, and his uncle is Jeff Blake.[2][3] Jones attended Stephen F. Austin High School in Austin, Texas.[4] He committed to East Carolina University to play college football.[5]

College career

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Jones played in 13 games and made eight starts as a true freshman at East Carolina in 2013. He finished second on the team with 62 receptions for 604 yards and five touchdowns.[6] As a sophomore, he had 81 receptions for 830 yards and five touchdowns. As a junior, he recorded 98 receptions for 1,099 yards and five touchdowns.[7] During his senior season in 2016, he set a school record for receptions in a game with 22, breaking the previous record of 17 held by Justin Hardy[8] and then went on to break the school record for receptions in a season, also held by Hardy, nine games into the season. Subsequently, Jones became the NCAA Division I football all-time single season leader in receptions with 158 for the 2016 season, breaking the previous record of 155 set by wide receiver Freddie Barnes of Bowling Green in 2009.[9][10] Additionally, Jones became the NCAA Division I football career leader in receptions with 399, breaking the all-time NCAA record of 387 held by his former ECU Pirate teammate and future NFL receiver Justin Hardy.[11] Jones was also named as one of three finalists for the 2016 Biletnikoff Award, which is given annually to the nation's outstanding receiver in college football.[12]

College statistics

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Season Team GP Rec Yds TD
2013 East Carolina 12 62 604 5
2014 East Carolina 13 81 830 5
2015 East Carolina 12 98 1,099 5
2016 East Carolina 12 158 1,746 8
Total 49 399 4,279 23

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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Jones received an invitation to the Senior Bowl and had practiced well during the week leading up to the game. He led both teams and greatly improved his draft stock after making six receptions for 68 receiving yards and a touchdown for the North, who lost 16–15 to the South.[13] He also attended the NFL Combine and completed all the combine and positional drills. Jones also participated at East Carolina's Pro Day, but opted to only run positional drills for team representatives and scouts. The majority of NFL draft experts and analysts projected Jones to be selected in the second round. He was ranked the fourth best wide receiver in the draft by NFL media analyst Mike Mayock, the fifth best wide receiver by ESPN, and was ranked the sixth best wide receiver by Sports Illustrated and NFLDraftScout.com.[14][15][16]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+1⁄8 in
(1.88 m) 		201 lb
(91 kg) 		32+1⁄2 in
(0.83 m) 		9 in
(0.23 m)		 4.45 s 1.55 s 2.61 s 4.01 s 6.79 s 36.5 in
(0.93 m)		 11 ft 1 in
(3.38 m)		 15 reps
All values from NFL Combine[17][18][19]

Buffalo Bills

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2017

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The Buffalo Bills selected Jones in the second round with the 37th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.[20] On May 18, the Bills signed Jones to a four-year, $6.77 million contract with $3.84 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $3.07 million.[21]

On September 10, 2017, Jones made his NFL debut. He had one reception for 21 yards in the 21–12 victory over the New York Jets.[22] On September 17, 2017, in Week 2, he barely missed on a potential game-winning pass from quarterback Tyrod Taylor on fourth down late in the game of a 9–3 loss to the Carolina Panthers.[23] In Week 9, against the New York Jets, he recorded six receptions for 53 yards and his first career receiving touchdown.[24] In 15 games (10 starts) of his rookie year in 2017, Jones finished with 316 receiving yards and two touchdowns.[25][26]

Jones during the 2018 preseason

2018

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Following his rookie season, Jones revealed he had played much of the year with a torn labrum in the shoulder, which required offseason surgery. Jones missed much of OTA's during the 2018 offseason due to another injury stemming from an offseason incident and started training camp on the non-football injury list.[27]

Jones showed improvement early in the season as his catch percentage rose significantly from his rookie season despite a low-volume passing offense. He caught a 57-yard pass from rookie quarterback Josh Allen in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers that was his new personal record for his longest reception. The pass traveled 63.8 yards in the air, which was also the second longest air distance for a completed pass ever recorded by NFL NextGen Stats since its inception.[28] Jones recorded his first touchdown of the season against the Houston Texans, a 16-yard pass from Nathan Peterman (who entered the game after Allen was injured), that briefly gave the Bills the lead.[29][30]

Against the Jets in Week 10, Jones caught another touchdown to go with 93 receiving yards, a new career high.[31] He recorded his first game with multiple receiving touchdowns two games later, catching two scores in a 21–17 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 13.[32]

Jones finished the 2018 season as Buffalo's leading receiver.[33] He caught 56 receptions for 652 yards and seven touchdowns.[34]

Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders

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On October 7, 2019, Jones was traded to the Oakland Raiders for a 2021 fifth-round pick.[35] In the 2019 season, he appeared in 15 games and started nine. He finished with 27 receptions for 216 receiving yards.[36]

During the Raiders' first home game in Allegiant Stadium upon relocating to Las Vegas in 2020, Jones caught his first touchdown since 2018 in a 34–24 Raiders win over the New Orleans Saints.[37] Jones was fined US$15,000 by the NFL on October 5, 2020, for attending a maskless charity event hosted by teammate Darren Waller during the COVID-19 pandemic in violation of the NFL's COVID-19 protocols for the 2020 season.[38] Jones appeared in 16 games, of which he started two, in the 2020 season. He finished with 14 receptions for 154 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[39]

On March 19, 2021, Jones re-signed with the Raiders on a one-year contract.[40] Against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, Jones recorded a 31-yard touchdown to end the game as the Raiders won 33–27 in overtime.[41] He played in all 17 games, of which he started nine. He finished with 47 receptions for 546 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[42]

Jacksonville Jaguars

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Jones playing against the Washington Commanders in 2022.

On March 16, 2022, Jones signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.[43] In Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys, Jones recorded 109 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the 40–34 victory.[44] In the 2022 season, Jones appeared in 16 games and recorded 82 receptions for 823 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.[45] In the Wild Card Round against the Chargers, he had eight receptions for 74 receiving yards and one touchdown in the 31–30 victory.[46]

In the 2023 season, Jones appeared in nine games and started seven. He finished with 34 receptions for 321 yards and two touchdowns.[47]

On April 30, 2024, Jones was released by the Jaguars.[48]

Arizona Cardinals

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On May 13, 2024, Jones signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.[49] On August 23, 2024, Jones was suspended five games for violating NFL's personal conduct policy.[50]

NFL career statistics

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Regular season

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Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2017 BUF 15 10 27 316 11.7 33 2 0 0
2018 BUF 16 15 56 652 11.6 57 7 1 0
2019 BUF 5 2 7 69 9.9 23 0 0 0
OAK 10 7 20 147 7.4 16 0 0 0
2020 LV 16 2 14 154 11.0 37 1 0 0
2021 LV 17 9 47 546 11.6 43 1 1 1
2022 JAX 16 15 82 823 10.0 59 5 0 0
2023 JAX 9 7 34 321 9.4 36 2 0 0
Career 104 67 287 3,028 10.6 59 18 2 1

Playoffs

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Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2017 BUF 1 0 2 20 10.0 15 0 0 0
2021 LV 1 1 5 61 12.2 17 1 0 0
2022 JAX 2 2 13 157 12.1 39 1 0 0
Career 4 3 20 238 11.9 39 2 0 0

References

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  1. ^ "Robert Jones Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  2. ^ Murschel, Matt (March 31, 2016). "ECU receiver Isaiah Jones says football-focused family fuels his success". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  3. ^ Graham, Josh (October 17, 2014). "Keeping Up With The Joneses". 247Sports. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  4. ^ Wagner, Bill (November 17, 2016). "Overlooked out of high school, Jones on verge of major milestone". Capital Gazette. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  5. ^ Olson, Max (August 6, 2012). "Isaiah Jones picks ECU". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  6. ^ "2013 East Carolina Pirates Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  7. ^ "2014 East Carolina Pirates Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  8. ^ "ECU's Jones 'phenomenal' in record-setting receiving effort". NSJ Online. September 18, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  9. ^ "With another record, ECU's Zay Jones is NCAA's most prolific receiver". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  10. ^ D'Andrea, Christian (April 28, 2017). "Zay Jones gives Bills much-needed WR help". SBNation.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  11. ^ Uthman, Daniel (November 21, 2016). "Five-way WR: How ECU's Zay Jones became the all-time receptions leader". USAToday.com. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  12. ^ Igoe, Stephen (November 21, 2016). "Zay Jones named one of three finalists for Biletnikoff Award". HoistTheColours. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  13. ^ Goodbread, Chase (January 28, 2017). "What we learned from Senior Bowl: Zay Jones boosts draft stock". NFL.com. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  14. ^ Burke, Chris (April 25, 2017). "2017 NFL Draft Rankings: Top Prospects by Position". SI.com. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  15. ^ Legwold, Jeff (April 22, 2017). "Ranking the 2017 Draft's Top 100 Prospects". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  16. ^ Mayock, Mike (April 12, 2017). "Mike Mayock's 2017 NFL Draft position rankings 3.0". NFL.com. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  17. ^ "NFL Draft Profile: Zay Jones". NFL.com. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  18. ^ "2017 Draft Scout Zay Jones, East Carolina NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  19. ^ "Zay Jones 2017 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  20. ^ Sambrotto, Anthony (April 28, 2017). "Bills snare a catch king in WR Zay Jones". BuffaloBills.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018.
  21. ^ "Spotrac.com: Zay Jones contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  22. ^ "New York Jets at Buffalo Bills – September 10th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  23. ^ "Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers – September 17th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  24. ^ "Buffalo Bills at New York Jets – November 2nd, 2017". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  25. ^ Roth, Leo (July 25, 2018). "Bills place receiver Zay Jones on active/non-football injury list on eve of camp". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  26. ^ "Zay Jones 2017 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  27. ^ Roth, Leo (July 25, 2018). "Bills place receiver Zay Jones on active/non-football injury list on eve of camp". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  28. ^ Rodak, Mike (September 16, 2018). "Josh Allen can't save Bills in loss to Chargers". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  29. ^ "Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans - October 14th, 2018". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  30. ^ Miller, Ryan C. (October 14, 2018). "Josh Allen injures elbow and Buffalo turns to Nathan Peterman, who throws pick-six in loss". Democrat & Chronicle. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  31. ^ Brooks, Clint (November 13, 2018). "PFF pegs Zay Jones among offensive standouts in Week 10". Bills Wire. USA Today Sports. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  32. ^ "Bills' Zay Jones: Thrives in narrow road loss". CBS Sports. December 2, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  33. ^ "2018 Buffalo Bills Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  34. ^ "Zay Jones 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  35. ^ Scott, Jelani (October 7, 2019). "Bills deal WR Zay Jones to Raiders for 2021 pick". NFL.com. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  36. ^ "Zay Jones 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  37. ^ White, Marcus (September 21, 2020). "Jones' hand sanitizer celebration epitomizes absurdity of 2020". RSN. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  38. ^ Dubow, Josh (October 5, 2020). "AP source: 10 Raiders players fined for COVID-19 violations". APNews.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  39. ^ "Zay Jones 2020 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  40. ^ "Raiders re-sign WR Zay Jones". Raiders.com. March 19, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  41. ^ Crabtree, Curtis (September 14, 2021). "Derek Carr 31-yard touchdown pass to Zay Jones lifts Raiders to 33-27 OT win over Ravens". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  42. ^ "Zay Jones 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  43. ^ Oehser, John (March 16, 2022). "Official: Jones agrees to terms". Jaguars.com. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  44. ^ "Jaguars' Zay Jones: Erupts for three touchdowns". CBSSports.com. December 18, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  45. ^ "Zay Jones 2022 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  46. ^ "Wild Card - Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars - January 14th, 2023". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  47. ^ "Zay Jones 2023 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  48. ^ DiRocco, Michael (April 30, 2024). "Jags cut WR Jones after picking Thomas in draft". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  49. ^ Urban, Darren (May 13, 2024). "Cardinals Continue Receiver Reset With Zay Jones Addition". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  50. ^ Shook, Nick (August 23, 2024). "Cardinals WR Zay Jones suspended five games for violating NFL's personal conduct policy". NFL.com. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
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