Atlanta Falcons veteran wide receiver Julio Jones has made waves in the NFL this week by saying he wants out of Atlanta.
This is news to the general public but reportedly he told the Falcons months ago.
At this point in his career, he admits that he wants to win and told FS1’s Shannon Sharpe that “I’m outta there.”
It remains to be seen if he will actually get the trade he is seeking; however, there are at least four NFL teams that should be calling Atlanta to get Jones.
Those four teams are as follows:
4. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson has yet to get a veteran, steady wide receiver he can count on.
I don’t think Ravens will trade for Julio Jones (won’t rule it out tho), but if I’m Julio, Baltimore would be very appealing.
“Ravens have the most complete team in the NFL knocking on the doorstep…8-man box, there'd be nothing but space for Julio Jones." – Bart Scott pic.twitter.com/RWiez1QvX1
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) May 22, 2021
Though the Ravens could definitely use Jones, it would take some creative accounting to add him to their payroll.
His three year $66 million contract would be tough for the Ravens to absorb given that they are already cash strapped against the reduced 2021 salary cap.
Julio Jones’ salary for 2021 is $15.3M. The Ravens presently have $15.14M in Cap space, so they’d have to do a restructure to fit him in AND then, they’d have to restructure his deal to lower that $15.3M Cap hit. Jones is due $38.5M over the remaining 3 yrs of his deal. https://t.co/UfGkFS1yL7
— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) April 26, 2021
While anything is possible including the restructuring of contracts to accommodate Jones, this seems unlikely which is why the Ravens are at the bottom of the list.
3. New York Jets
Jones, 32, could be an asset to rookie quarterback Zach Wilson.
I expect Aaron Rodgers to be back with the Packers. 50/50 whether Julio Jones end up on a new team. I wouldn't mind him as a target for Zach Wilson if the #Jets could get him for a steal, that's for sure. But I won't hold my breath.
— Roy L. Pickering Jr. (@AuthorofPatches) May 25, 2021
All of the wide receivers on the Jets depth chart have five years or less of NFL experience with the exception of Jamison Crowder.
Jones is entering his 11th NFL season and has nearly 13,000 yards receiving with 60 touchdowns.
Though Jones is arguably on the tail end of his career and productivity, he could be a security blanket for Wilson.
2. New England Patriots
Bill Belichick is eager to rebuild the magic that was in New England during the Tom Brady era.
For a competitor like Belichick, it had to be painful sitting home during the playoffs last year while Brady and the Bucs kept winning.
This explains why the Patriots went hog wild during free agency and have drafted a young quarterback in Mac Jones.
However, it appears Cam Newton will be under center in 2021.
Giving Newton a stalwart veteran like Jones would certainly lift the Patriots offensive potential.
.@danorlovsky7 believes that if the Patriots got Julio Jones, they would be a top-four team in the AFC along with the Chiefs, Bills and the Browns. pic.twitter.com/8DiQQcQguE
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 24, 2021
Belichick is not risk-averse when it comes to adding veteran wide receivers to the roster.
He did it with Randy Moss, Josh Gordon, and Antonio Brown.
1. Green Bay Packers
What better way to get back on Aaron Rodgers good side than to go get a veteran receiver that he can connect with on big plays?
If the #Packers want to make #AaronRodgers happy and make things work in Green Bay….Then Trade for #Falcons WR Julio Jones. pic.twitter.com/rF20jS8f30
— Luke Patterson (@LukePattersonLP) May 25, 2021
Jones could ease into the Green Bay offense without having to mentor a young quarterback.
Line him up on the opposite side of Davante Adams and let the fireworks begin.
It makes a lot of sense if Rodgers buys in on the idea.
The Packers do not seem overly motivated to provide more offensive weapons for Rodgers or to appease him so this may also be an unlikely scenario.
While all indications are that the Falcons plan to trade Jones, nothing is certain until the ink is dry on an agreement between two teams.
That means in spite of all this talk, he could still be a Falcon in September.
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