According to ESPN.com, the Jaguars have released troubled wide receiver Matt Jones.

The former Arkansas player was charged with cocaine possession in July.

He was suspended for the last three games of the 2008 season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. In a plea deal, Jones entered a program that emphasizes treatment.

Jones was released a day early from jail Saturday during a weeklong stay for drinking beer in violation of his plea agreement for the drug charge.

The Jaguars picked Jones in the first round of the NFL draft in 2005. Before his suspension last season, Jones was having the best year of his career, with 65 catches for 761 yards and two touchdowns.

What an absolute waste of a first round pick. The Jags knew they were taking a risk by selecting Jones as a wide receiver, even though he played quarterback at Arkansas. And not only did the move backfire on the field, it also caused the team some heartache off it as well. Some team will take a chance on him based on his talent, but he won’t receive more than a one-year deal for the minimum.

Boy, the Jaguars are awfully thin at wide receiver. I’d be shocked if they don’t address the need in one of the first two rounds next month.