Detroit Lions: Who Is The Best Fit At Slot Receiver?

TJ Jones

• 6’0″, 188 lbs
• Drafted 2014: 6th Rnd 189th by DET
• Experience – Rookie
• College – Notre Dame

The fact that Jones was taken in the sixth round, 189th overall and the 25th receiver to go off the board indicates that he is by no means a lock to make the 53-player active roster, or to have a major role if he sticks.

Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

By comparison, the Lions drafted wide receiver Corey Fuller of Virginia Tech in the sixth round and 171st overall last year, and Fuller was welded to the practice squad all year.

Jones was productive in four seasons at Notre Dame. He was a full-time starter the last three seasons and led the Irish in 2013 with 70 catches for 1,108 yards, 9 TDs and a 15.8-yard average per catch. For his career, he had 181 catches and 19 TDs.

For Jones, not only has learning the Lions complicated playbook been daunting, but so has lining up along side Megatron and fellow Notre Dame alumni — Golden Tate.

"“I got in a couple plays,” Jones said. “I really didn’t know what I was doing. That stopped that real quick. “At first it was a little overwhelming. It was kind of a dream come true to have such greats surrounding you. It’s something you have to get used to because if you want to play next year — if I want to get on the field — I’m going to be surrounded by them.”"