As the previous post suggests, Daltonās deep passing has been best in 2015 and 2013, after taking a fairly significant dip in 2014. What was the big difference in 2014? I believe the injury that kept Marvin Jones off the field for the entire 2014 season is perhaps the chief explanation for Daltonās regression on the long ball, and Jonesā return constitutes an integral part of the Bengalsā offensive improvement.
Having a deep threat stretches the field and opens up the field for tight ends and rushing attempts, and Marvin Jones, when healthy, has arguably been the top deep threat in the league. Through 6 weeks in 2015, Marvin Jones has the top catch rate, 83%, among receivers that have participated in 25% or more of snaps. Even though heās dropped one deep pass, Jones is still the most efficient deep threat with 194 yards and 1 touchdown. Also of note, his fellow Bengals receiver A.J. Green ranks sixth in deep catch rate thus far.