Julio Jones Top 6 Destinations

 Julio Jones Top 6 Destinations 

As things are heating up in the NBA and NHL playoffs, people are gathering in arenas again to watch sports, and finally it seems that the world is getting back to normal. After a year of being held up. However even though the world is focused on other sports right now all roads lead back to the NFL. In the NFL we may have some big names in new places soon. One of those big names is maybe the league’s best receiver in Atlanta Falcons wide out Julio Jones. Julio Jones broke the news on a phone call with Shannon Sharpe on Fox Undisputed about a week ago that he was out of Atlanta. That he wanted to win. Now we are past the June 1st date so the Falcons can save up to 15 million of cap relief if they trade Jones. They are certainly shopping Jones, and we could hear of a deal in the coming weeks. Jones makes every team better, but what team does he put over the top or to the next level? A lot but there’s six teams that stand out in my head where Jones would light up. These rankings are based on Jones' fit on the team and the realistic possibility of him going there. For example (spoiler) Julio Jones would be better with Aaron Rodgers but the Ravens have a better chance at landing him. Giving the Ravens the edge. Julio Jones is one of the most impactful players in the league. He wants to win. Here are the best places for him to do that. 

6 Patriots 

Yes the New England Patriots are retooling and adding Jones would be the cherry on top to a very active offseason by the Patriots. The Patriots had a ton of cap room coming into the 2021 offseason. They used nearly all of that on offensive weapons such as Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Nelson Agholor, and Kendrick Bourne. They also went and got offensive line help with Trent Brown who was once a Patriot. With the nine returning defensive starters who sat out last season due to Covid, some defensive signings, and Cam Newton coming back the Patriots to make themselves contenders again. The addition of Julio Jones would make Newton’s job much easier. In a year where he had no offseason to learn a playbook, he got Covid, and the team was never at full staffed and still managed to go 7-9. Newton with a new Patriots team will be much better with Jones. Many say that Belichick would never go after a 32 past his prime receiver. However Jones isn't in most cases. He’s elite even though he had a rough 2020. His worst statistical season since 2013. However his 2.6 yards per route run and 78.5 percent catch rate was among top five in the league amongst receivers in 2020. Jones also had a nagging hamstring injury that he still managed to play through. Also weapons are a need for the Patriots. That’s why they overspent on some of these free agents because they need weapons. Jones is more than proven. He would be huge for the Patriots. New England will look to run the ball behind that offensive line to develop chances. With Jones on the outside that brings a lot of pressure off Newton to be MVP Newton. Then there’s of course the Mac Jones factor. Three keys to developing a quarterback in the NFL is an offensive line, a good running game, and a weapon he can depend on. Julio Jones would be that for Mac Jones in his first few seasons. Especially since the Patriots are guaranteed to have a lineman and running game. Jones even makes sense financially for the Patriots. New England has the ability to work his contract only be a 5.8 million dollar hit on the cap. The only problem with Jones to New England is how much they would have to give up? Also don’t know how much Jones wants to play in a system that is run-centric with an aging running quarterback and/or a rookie quarterback. That makes Jones going to New England hard for me to believe. However if they did the AFC East would turn into a three team race once again. 

5 Packers 

See we told you the Packers would be on the list but not as high as they should be. The Packers should be one but aren’t because we know they will never make such a good decision. Not that the Packers don’t make good decisions. Of course they do, they have an amazing team built straight from Green Bay. The Packers development is next level that doesn’t change the fact some of those players won’t get you a Super Bowl right now. However Julio Jones would make you maybe Super Bowl favorites. Yes, being good for 15 years is awesome but winning a Super Bowl once is a dream. Green Bay’s window with Aaron Rodgers is closing and they’ve only produced one Super Bowl. If they can get two the narrative will certainly change that they wasted Rodgers talent by never giving him a first round weapon. Obviously Rodgers would have to restructure his deal to get Jones. Don’t really think that would be a problem. Julio Jones alongside Davante Adams, with Aaron Jones in the backfield, the tight end touchdown leader in 2021 Rob Tonyan, the best left tackle in the league David Bakhtiari to go along with a top 3 offensive line Rodgers could never complain again in reality. Yes we get Green Bay doesn’t get big free agents so they have to develop. However we play to win the Super Bowl when you have the chance you have to go for it. Green Bay can be bad for 2-3 years after Rodgers retires if they win one or two Super Bowls you grant yourself that right. Green Bay would be the best fit for Julio Jones for winning, he would get the MVP in the league tossing him the rock, and not get double covered because Adam’s is on the other side. However due to Jones age, injury history, cap hit, the Jordan Love mistake pick we will never see this happen. 

4 Chargers 

Yes the Chargers would be a great fit for Julio Jones that no one is really bringing up which makes no sense. With a new head coach in town with Brandon Staley the former defensive coordinator of the Rams. Adding Julio Jones will keep Staley’s eyes on defense and not worry about the offense as much. The cap hit is not the Chargers problem at all. They have plenty of cap space for 2021 and beyond matter of fact. Lining up Julio Jones across from Keenan Allen would put the league on notice. Especially in a division with Patrick Mahomes you have to find some more form of fire power. Jones is that form. Especially for second year quarterback Justin Herbert. Who broke the rookie touchdown passing record last season with 33 touchdown passes. Herbert looks to be the next great quarterback talent. That’s why the Charges who owned the worst offensive line in the league last year did so much work to improve it. They brought in the best center in the league Corey Lindsey and they stole OT Rashawn Slater out of Northwestern in the first round of the 2021 draft. The Chargers have a running game with Austin Ekeler in the backfield. After three disappointing seasons Jones can be exactly what the Chargers need to make a comeback into the NFL’s contender talks. Their defense is already good, the cap works, Jones would make the Chargers a top 10 offense at least behind a good defense with cap space. I don't really see why LA doesn’t make the deal. 

3 Colts 

Get a new quarterback, why not get a new weapon to go along with that new quarterback? The Colts decided to go get Carson Wentz in the offseason, trading away a conditional second round pick which could later turn into a first round pick. Putting him back together with his old offensive coordinator Frank Reich. Who is now the Colts head coach. Wentz had that MVP like season before tearing his ACL under Frank Reich when he played for the Eagles during that Super Bowl season. Wentz in my opinion will do great for the Colts regardless if Julio Jones walks through that door. However Jones would put the Colts as an AFC title and Super Bowl contender. Jones would give Wentz a weapon he doesn’t have. Yes Ty Hilton is coming back but he isn’t what he used to be, Zach Pascal is good but he’s a two or three receiver in the NFL at the moment, Michael Pittman Jr is coming off a good rookie season that showed promise for the future, and Jack Doyle is old and injured a lot. Jones would be a huge addition for Wentz. He would take away attention from the other options that can’t afford double teams. Jones would also help the Colts avoid teams stacking the box on them. The Colts run the offense through their running game with Marlon Mack, Jonathan Taylor, and that top three offensive line. The Colts can restructure some deals to afford Jones. The Colts ranked first for the majority of the season in defense. If Wentz can get back to MVP level with the addition of Julio Jones the Colts become a really tough out. 

2 Seahawks 

The Seattle Seahawks would pole vault into serious Super Bowl contender status real quickly with the addition of Julio Jones. Remember Seattle is willing to go get superstars they went and got Jamal Adams because they needed a safety. Seattle also likes to keep Russell Wilson happy as we see. Wilson said he wanted to leave, then the Seahawks went out and got offensive lineman, re-signed running back Cris Carson, and gave Tyler Lockett a new contract. Julio Jones would make Wilson very happy. As the Seahawks would become very scary. With an improved offensive line, a running game, Wilson at quarterback, Lockett, and Jones lining up across the field from DK Metcalf Seattle is back in the saddle again. Yes the Hawks would have to probably lose some help and more first round picks but we play to win the Super Bowl go get it. Wilson will make any rebuilding stage seem like it doesn’t exist. Get better at drafting late. Jones to Seattle could definitely happen and at the moment is Vegas' best odds to happen. 

1 Ravens 

Yes the Ravens had to be obvious who are number one because they really should go out and get Julio Jones. The Ravens have been the best team on the ground the last two seasons. Ranking first in rushing yards per game and overall rushing yards on the season. These stats should be no shock because their starting quarterback Lamar Jackson can run with the best of him. Jackson is often looked down upon because he runs before he throws but Jackson can throw the football. The problem is not a lot to throw too. Marquise Brown, Sammy Watkins, and Tommy Boyle are all solid options but they are no Julio Jones. Jones brings matchup problems for every team. Brown would have one on one matchups, teams can’t stack the box against Jackson or Dobbins, and you would take away or two more defenders upfield giving Jackson more room to run. We all know Baltimore’s defense will show up they always have. The Ravens have made it to the Divisional round back to back years going home early. You can bet John Harbaugh wants more than that. The Ravens MVP Lamar Jackson will get paid in 2021 or 2022 so Jones would have to be structured around that. However the Ravens are a Super Bowl contender with Jones. They become maybe the best offense in the league next to the Chiefs. Yes Baltimore swears they aren’t looking at Jones but don’t believe them. Julio Jones goes to the Ravens watch out. 

See how hood Julio Jones makes everybody? He makes your team much better because of just the threat of what he can do. Jones would take any of these teams to the next level. It’s crazy that teams aren’t willing to give up that first to me. Trust me we get the aging receiver and injury history. Majority of the time we’d also say no to that option. However Jones will get you way closer to a Super Bowl. What are we playing for? Exactly. Whenever you can, go get Jones. 

By Matthew Doherty 

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