Packers 2016 free agent preview: James Jones could depart again

Over the next two weeks, Acme Packing Company takes a look at each position group on the Green Bay Packers and provides grades and insight on how they performed in the 2015 season. Today, we examine the wide receivers. Follow along with all of our positional breakdowns here.

To conclude our review of the Green Bay Packers' wide receivers, we discuss the players -- or in this case, player -- currently headed towards free agency: James Jones.

James Jones

Years in NFL: Nine
Status: Unrestricted free agent
Expiring contract: One-year, $585,000 deal
2015 stats: 50 receptions, 890 yards, eight touchdowns

Even if the Packers don't make any meaningful additions to the receiving corps this offseason, the unit returns Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Ty Montgomery, Davante Adams, Jeff Janis and Jared Abbrederis. Though the team could keep all six, general manager Ted Thompson's track record suggests that at least one ultimately departs before the cutdown to 53. With that much depth, Green Bay may not feel compelled to offer Jones a contract between now and Week 1.

At the same time, Jones' price tag (likely at or near the veteran minimum) and the public support of Aaron Rodgers could allow the veteran wideout to return in 2016. Jones could prove valuable in a less-featured role while mentoring the team's younger receivers.