The Arizona Cardinals made a significant move after the NFL Draft by signing veteran wide receiver Zay Jones to a one-year contract worth up to $4.25 million. Following the selection of Marvin Harrison Jr. in the first round of the draft, General Manager Monti Ossenfort opted to bring in a seasoned player, making Jones an ideal addition to the Cardinals’ offensive lineup.

Jones, who has recently found stability in his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, aims to bring that same stability to the Cardinals’ wide receiver corps. Apart from Harrison Jr., the Cardinals lacked depth in their receiving unit, with promising young talents like Greg Dortch and Michael Wilson. The addition of Jones fills the void for a veteran presence.

Ian Rapoport’s report highlighted an interesting detail: following his release from the Jaguars, Jones had visited multiple teams including the Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, and Kansas City Chiefs.

Free agent WR Zay Jones is signing with the #AZCardinals, per me and @TomPelissero. Another veteran option for Arizona, as Jones — who also visited the #Titans, #Chiefs and #Cowboys — lands. pic.twitter.com/kBLEjx7c9r

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 10, 2024

The Cowboys, a playoff team last season, were in need of a receiver following the release of Michael Gallup. The Titans have been highly active in the offseason, aiming to reclaim the AFC South, while the Chiefs are basking in the glow of their recent Super Bowl victory.

Opting not to join the Titans or the Cowboys is understandable, but choosing to forego the opportunity to play with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs is a significant decision. Zay Jones’ decision to join the Cardinals, a team that has struggled with an 8-26 record over the past two years, over the reigning Super Bowl champions, speaks volumes. Despite the Chiefs’ need for additional receivers, Jones opted for Arizona.

This move to Arizona reflects the direction that General Manager Monti Ossenfort and Head Coach Jonathan Gannon are steering the franchise towards. By acquiring a player of Jones’ caliber, the Cardinals demonstrate their commitment to continuous improvement at a reasonable cost. The front office’s ability to secure a low-risk, high-reward deal with Jones showcases their strategic approach to enhancing the team.

The Arizona Cardinals make a significant move by signing experienced wide receiver Zay Jones.

The Arizona Cardinals have made a significant move in free agency by agreeing to terms with veteran wide receiver Zay Jones, who was recently released by the Jacksonville Jaguars. This development was initially reported by NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Jones’ addition brings a much-needed veteran presence to the Cardinals’ wide receiver corps, which now boasts a more experienced and dynamic lineup.

Zay Jones, a seven-year veteran with experience playing for the Buffalo Bills, Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, and Jacksonville Jaguars, is joining the Arizona Cardinals. After a slow start to his career, Jones had a breakout season with the Jaguars two years ago, recording 85 receptions, 823 yards, and five touchdowns. Although he had a less impressive season last year, he was released and will now join the NFC West to catch passes from Kyler Murray.

Jones’ addition to the Cardinals’ wide receiver room is a perfect fit, as they already have Marvin Harrison Jr. as their top wideout and solid depth players. He can play as the number two or three wideout and serve as a reliable option for Murray in critical situations.

General Manager Monti Ossenfort and the front office needed to address the wide receiver position, and Jones brings stability to the offense. The Cardinals have been focusing on improving their offense, starting with the NFL Draft and continuing into rookie minicamp. With Jones, Harrison, Greg Dortch, Chris Moore, Zach Pascal, and Michael Wilson, the team now has a strong group of receivers.

Kyler Murray should be excited about this signing, as Jones is a significant addition to the offense. He can help open up the middle of the field and provide a reliable target for Murray. Jones will now prepare to officially join his new team and learn the offense with a quarterback looking to prove himself as the franchise in Arizona.

The depth chart has been revised following the acquisition of wide receiver Zay Jones by the Cardinals.

The Arizona Cardinals had been relatively quiet on the roster front since the 2024 NFL Draft. However, on Friday, the team made a significant move by signing free agent wide receiver Zay Jones. The addition of Jones complements the team’s recent draft pick, Marvin Harrison Jr., who was selected at no. 4 overall to bolster the wide receiver position.

After the signing of Zay Jones, what is the current status of the depth chart.

Here is the updated depth chart for the Arizona Cardinals’ wide receiver position after signing Zay Jones:RWR

1. Michael Wilson
2. Zay Jones
3. Daniel Arias

SWR

1. Greg Dortch
2. Zach Pascal
3. Tejhaun Palmer (R)

The Cardinals drafted Marvin Harrison Jr. in the first round to be their top wide receiver. With the addition of veteran Zay Jones, the receiving corps now has a solid mix of young talent and experience.

Jones is expected to provide stability and a reliable target for quarterback Kyler Murray.The depth chart shows Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch as the starters on the outside and in the slot respectively. Zay Jones and Zach Pascal will likely rotate in as the second and third receivers. Rookie Daniel Arias and undrafted free agent Tejhaun Palmer provide depth and competition

The Arizona Cardinals also have veterans Jeff Smith and Andre Baccellia, as well as undrafted free agent Xavier Weaver, in their wide receiver corps. It is possible that Zay Jones could surpass Michael Wilson as the second starter on the outside, given Jones’ career-high 82 receptions and 823 yards in 2022. Jones had a productive season with Trevor Lawrence in 2022 and fans hope he can replicate that with Kyler Murray.

Jones is an underrated receiver who had interest from the Kansas City Chiefs, but chose to join the Cardinals instead. This decision allows him to bring hope to Arizona rather than potentially winning a ring with Kansas City. The 29-year-old veteran began his career with the Buffalo Bills as a second-round pick from East Carolina in 2017 and has since played for the Raiders and Jaguars. Arizona becomes his fourth official stop as a professional, and fans expect him to be able to take some pressure off Marvin Harrison Jr. from the start.

The Arizona Cardinals will encounter the most challenging wide receivers in 2024.

The Arizona Cardinals will face a formidable array of wide receivers in 2024, ranging from top possession receivers to speedsters who can challenge cornerbacks downfield. The Cardinals’ secondary is expected to face both successes and challenges against opposing receiving corps. While the team was not at the bottom of the league in defending against opponents last season, the signings of Sean Murphy-Bunting and the selection of three cornerbacks in the draft indicate a proactive approach to bolstering the defense.

Arizona’s defense will need to step up significantly when matched against certain receivers this season, potentially leading to high-scoring games. With the offseason additions of Marvin Harrison Jr., Trey Benson, and improvements to the offensive line, the Cardinals’ offense is poised to be explosive, increasing the pressure on the defense to perform at a high level.

The Arizona Cardinals will face several top wide receivers in the 2024 season.

One of the most surprising moves in the recent offseason was the Los Angeles Chargers trading Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears. Allen will now be a target for Caleb Williams in a potent offensive lineup. Despite playing just 13 games last season, Allen managed 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and 7 touchdowns. With six Pro Bowl appearances in the last seven seasons, Allen brings valuable experience to the Bears’ offense. However, his injury history is a concern, as he has not completed a full season since 2019.

The Cardinals will face the challenge of defending against Allen, D.J. Moore, and rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze, presenting a formidable task for their defense.

PFF identifies the most glaring remaining need for the Arizona Cardinals.

There is still ample time for the Arizona Cardinals to make additional moves before the start of training camp. With numerous free agents available, General Manager Monti Ossenfort and the front office should remain vigilant for potential talent acquisitions. While the team has made improvements this offseason, there remains a significant gap to address on the offensive side.

Gordon McGuinness of PFF highlighted potential moves for each NFC team before the season ramps up, suggesting that the Cardinals could benefit from adding a veteran wide receiver to their roster. This suggestion aligns with the need for a seasoned presence in the locker room.

Despite drafting Marvin Harrison Jr., the Cardinals have not addressed the wide receiver position as aggressively as some fans may have hoped. While they selected Harrison, Tejhaun Palmer, and signed Chris Moore in free agency, the departures of Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore have left a youthful receiving corps in Arizona. Bringing in a productive veteran would greatly benefit the offense. Zay Jones, who recently visited the Cardinals after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars, could provide support in the slot and serve as a reliable target for Kyler Murray on a short-term deal.

Players like Hunter Renfrow and Michael Thomas could also bolster the Cardinals’ receiving corps at this stage of the offseason. Ultimately, acquiring a veteran with significant starting experience would be a wise move for the Cardinals. With the potential of their offense and the addition of an established playmaker, the team could enhance their competitiveness and secure more victories.