It's not often you find a potential No. 1 receiver in the second round. It's also not often (or ever) college receivers catch 158 passes in a season.
Zay Jones transformed from an unknown three-star recruit with one Power Five offer into the most productive receiver in FBS history. The First-Team All-American was the Bills' second-round pick after setting the all-time single-season (158) and career (399) reception marks as a senior at East Carolina.
At the time, Jones was drafted to be the No. 2 receiver behind Sammy Watkins. Then he was arguably bumped to No. 3 when they inked veteran Anquan Boldin in early August. Four days after the Boldin signing, Watkins was traded to the Rams and replaced by Jordan Matthews, acquired in a separate trade with the Eagles. Within the next week, Matthews suffered a chip fracture in his sternum and Boldin retired.
Zay Jones was suddenly the Bills' No. 1 receiver and his fantasy stock skyrocketed. His average draft position settled around 150, according to Fantasy Pros, though he's been selected in the top 100 in many ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
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As for his Week 1 value? Much of that depends on Matthews, who only returned to full participation status late this week. Matthews had barely any practice time with Tyrod Taylor before going down with the sternum injury. After returning as a partial participant, Taylor was out battling a concussion.
Even with a 100-percent Matthews, Jones is in line for at least eight targets. As noted by Yahoo's Brad Evans, Jets' cornerback Justin Burris — his likely shadow on Sunday — yielded 0.20 fantasy points per snap. Given the Bills' lack of depth (most fans will struggle to name another receiver on their roster), Jones could play 60 snaps on Sunday. Sixty snaps, eight targets and Burris' 0.20 clip suggest the rookie is in line for a productive opener.
Unless your receiving corps is stacked, there is no reason Zay Jones shouldn't be in your Week 1 lineup.
