There was reason to ask whether the Green Bay Packers would be worse off for the loss of receiver James Jones in free agency this offseason.

The Packers had their Nos. 1 and 2 receivers back in Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. But what about No. 3? Could third-year pro Jarrett Boykin make plays?

Two preseason games into 2014, it's looking like he can. Jones was on the wrong side of 30, and replacing him with Boykin is looking like a wash.

Boykin has taken on Jones' role of being the strong receiver who catches hitches. He did it on the Packers' first pass of their preseason game at St. Louis on Saturday. He caught the quick hitch, broke some tackles and gained 7 yards.

Boykin has a big body at 6-feet-2 and 218 pounds, and he's figured out how to use it to shield off defenders. He showed that the very next play, on a stop route, when he turned around and caught a 6-yard pass for a first down. It was a great throw by Aaron Rodgers, but plays like that show Boykin can fill Jones' spot.

PackersNews  wrote:

Boykin may put up better numbers than Jones but I don't think he is a better receiver than Jones. If he does it will be because of the team and the offense and the talent around him.

I think we would have been better with Jones as the #3 but in the grand scheme of our offense I don't think the numbers would be that much different so when you factor in the cost of each player I can understand why they let Jones walk.

Originally Posted by: sschind 

I could see giving Jones a slight lean but I don't really see much separation between the two besides Jones being more proven. They both performed similarly last year and it was only Boykins 2nd year in the league. If you have 2 players who are basically the same guy you have to go with the younger one 😆. If you are just comparing skillsets I don't really see where Jones is really any better than Boykin.

Originally Posted by: steveishere 

Jones is way better.

Boykin is way cheaper.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 

How did Boykin manage to get more yards than Jones in games they played together then? What is it about Jones that makes him "way better"? Do you have anything at all to back up what you say?

Originally Posted by: steveishere 

Don't be that guy Steve. The one who points to one game and says if that's so then why did this happen. It's a cheap way out and it makes you look like a child. You have legitimate arguments for Boykin, you don't have to stoop to that.

Originally Posted by: sschind 

Don't be that guy Steve. The one who points to one game and says if that's so then why did this happen. It's a cheap way out and it makes you look like a child. You have legitimate arguments for Boykin, you don't have to stoop to that. Aaron Rodgers is better than every other QB out there. Are you going to say "How did Teddy Bridgewater manage to get more yards (assuming such a thing could happen) in that game they played against each other then"

IMO Jones is better. I agree if you have the same guy you go with the younger (or cheaper or both) but I don't think they are basically the same guy, and no I don't have anything to back that up. I watch the games and that is the conclusion I have drawn. Other people watch the games and come to different conclusions, that's what makes it so great.

On the other hand since Boykin is still with us and Jones is not I hope Boykin sets the league on fire (I kinda hope Jones does too but not as much) The thing is, lets say Boykin has 850 yards and 6 TDs as the #3 and Jones only has 700 yards and 4 TDs. People will say "see, I told you Boykin was better" and I might change my mind if that happens but for now, I think Jones is better.

Originally Posted by: sschind