Marvin Jones to Sign with Detroit Lions

A day after Calvin Johnson announced his retirement, the Detroit Lions quickly went to work replacing him.

According to ESPN’s Dianna Marie Russini, the Lions will be signing wide receiver Marvin Jones away from the Cincinnati Bengals.

In a shallow free agent class at wide receiver, Jones was considered the top free agent on the board. In his first four year in the league out of Cal, he had 1,729 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.

Here’s what NFL Mock’s writer Matt Holowiak had to say about Marvin Jones heading into free agency this week.

"The curious case of Marvin Jones. Playing opposite AJ Green has its challenges, mainly leaving us all wondering if it is less attention on him, or if he is that good. In 2013 he only had three starts and racked up 712 yards and 10 touchdowns and showed the world “Here I am!” Unfortunately we never got to see what happens next after missing the entire 2014 season, but he came back with 816 yards on 65 receptions and four touchdowns. He is easily one of the best “number two” receivers on the market."

Jones suffered both a sprained ankle and a broken foot, causing him to miss the entire 2014 season. He erupted back onto the scene with a career high 816 receiving yards. Those big numbers came after playing behind AJ Green and Mohammed Sanu most of his career in Cincinnati.

With Marvin Jones now onboard in Detroit, the Lions have a potent one-two punch in Jones and Golden Tate. While the loss of Calvin Johnson will certainly sting, they may have found a diamond in the rough in Jones. Still, they should be in the market for another low-end receiver or possibly on day two of the draft. Lance Moore will be a free agent Wednesday afternoon and the remaining cast of Corey Fuller and some practice squad candidates can not hold up for Matthew Stafford long-term.