Jaguars Top 10 Draft Busts: Matt Jones

In the 2005 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars surprised everyone and made one of the riskiest picks in recent memory when they selected Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones in the first round. They didn't draft him to play quarterback however, he was making a position switch to wide receiver after running a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and making a handful of spectacular grabs at the Senior Bowl. Matt Jones possessed the height, weight, and speed to be a potential Randy Moss type receiver at the NFL level. Jones possessed the physical attributes and aloofness of Randy Moss, what he lacked however was the drive.

Jones came to the Jaguars with a ton of hype, as rabid Arkansas Razorback fans came in the droves to tell Jaguars fans how awesome Matt Jones would be. Jones didn't disappoint early, either, making some spectacular catches in his first pre-season game against the Atlanta Falcons. For being a rookie, Jones had a better season than most expected. He finished the 2005 season with 36 catches for 436 yards and 5 touchdowns. The seasons after that however, would prove to be very frustrating for Jacksonville Jaguars fans and the coaching staff.

Matt Jones battled injuries the following season, but was still able to net nearly 650 receiving yards and 4 more touchdowns. Jones' aloofness however had started to wear on fans and the coaching staff. He gave off the feel that he didn't care and didn't try. In the 2007 season Jones played sparingly and was relegated to predominantly entertaining Luke Del Rio on the sidelines during games. He was active for only 12 games in the 2007 season and was predominantly a non-factor in the games he was active for.

In the 2008 off-season, Jones was arrested on a felony drug charge and possession of cocaine. Jones' most productive season of his career came in the 2008 season following the arrest, but he was suspended in the final four games for violation of the league's substance abuse policy. In the following off-season, Jones was arrested for violation of his parole (for drinking beer on a golf course, petty... but stupid on his part) and released from the team. Jones signed with the Bengals in the 2010 off-season, but was released in final cuts. Jones has since retired from the NFL. He started only 16 games for the Jaguars in his 4 year career.

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