When Matt Jones was drafted in the first round by the Jaguars a few years ago, it caught many people off guard. Not only because of how high he went, 22nd overall, but by the team that picked him. I wrote a few Jones-related stories, talked to people close to him prior to that draft, and I had not heard the Jaguars mentioned at all. Credit to them, I guess, for keeping it on the D-Low.

Now, Jones' troubles had little to do with his location. But I didn't think it was a great place for him. The Jaguars clearly like to run the ball and ask their receivers to block a lot downfield. Not a great match for a QB-turned-wideout. And he rarely was used in creative ways after his rookie season, when he rushed 12 times and attempted three passes. The Jaguars coaches appeared to want him to focus completely on being a receiver and not being a "weapon."

Maybe the Jaguars were a few years ahead of the curve because players with Jones' skills appear to be all the rage these days. Of course, the biggest issue with Jones is hs maturity and focus. If he can convince an owner and GM that he's serious about staying clean and out of trouble and about playing receiver, Jones just might get himself a job -- and a decent one.

He's not a downfield receiver, never will be; only three of his 166 career receptions have gone for more than 39 yards. But he became an interesting possession guy last season, who averaged 5.4 catches a game and could develop into a 75-catch player in the right offense.

What about Dallas? Would Jerry Jones take a chance on an ol' Arkansas boy? I know they want a deep guy there, but Matt Jones could be a good insurance policy if Sam Hurd or Isaiah Stanback don't pan out. That still only would leave him fourth on he depth chart, but it's not as if Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin are world beaters. Jones would have a chance to move up and play in an offense that could use a dash more of pizzazz.

I believe Jones will make the most of his next situation. From most people I have talked to who are close to him, he's not a bad kid. He just got in some trouble, got a little off course and struggled to deal with his problems. Now that he's not facing a suspension, I think more teams will step up to try to sign him.

And he could be far better in his new city than he was in his last.