Jaguars shuffle receivers, cut Jones
Landry receives minicamp invite
The Jacksonville Jaguars released veteran receiver Zay Jones on Tuesday, dumping him five days after drafting LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick and a day after agreeing to bring five-time Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry in for rookie minicamp.
Jones was scheduled to count nearly $10.8 million against the salary cap in 2024, a significant payout for someone expected to be the team’s fourth receiver at best. Jacksonville will eat $6.6 million in dead money to save $4.2 million this season.
Jones, who has 3,028 career receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in seven years with Buffalo, Oakland/Las Vegas and Jacksonville, missed eight games last season with knee and hamstring injuries. He also was arrested on a domestic violence charge that was ultimately dropped.
He was entering the final year of a three-year, $24 million contract that included $ 14 million guaranteed.
The Jaguars also cut kicker Joey Slye, moving on three days after drafting Arkansas’ Cam Little in the sixth round, and agreed to terms with 13 undrafted free agents.
Browns
The Cleveland Browns added depth to their solid offensive line, agreeing on a contract with free agent center Brian Allen, his agency announced on social media.
Allen, who started 36 games and a Super Bowl for the Rams, is getting a one-year contract. The 28year- old Allen was slowed by injuries the past few seasons and was a backup in 2023.
Ratings
After posting strong numbers for the first round, viewership for the NFL draft was down 3% from last year on TV and digital platforms.
The draft averaged 5.74 million viewers for the three days this year across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and NFL Network after averaging 5.93 million in 2023 according to the league and Nielsen.
The first round, where six quarterbacks were selected, averaged 12.1 million viewers, a 6% increase over last year.
Steelers
Pittsburgh is inviting Sacramento State defensive lineman Jett Stanley to its rookie minicamp, according to State Hornet Sports.