Julio Jones’ time with the Atlanta Falcons might be coming to an end.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, teams have been calling the Falcons about possible trades for the All-Pro wide receiver.
A trade would likely have to happen after June 1. If Jones is traded before June 1, there would be a $23 million dead money cap hit. If Jones is traded after June 1st, Atlanta would save $15 million, which would be huge given their current salary cap issues (as it stands, they don’t have enough cap space to sign their rookie class).
It’s unlikely that a team that is in a rebuild mode would trade for Jones because of his large cap hit and the fact that they are going to need the pick to rebuild.
I would expect a team that is really close to contending for a Super Bowl to go ahead and trade the picks and take on the cap hit for one of the best receivers in the game to give them the final cherry on top to win a Super Bowl.
With that being said, let’s take a look at possible trade destinations for Jones.
Indianapolis Colts
General manager Chris Ballard had an opportunity to spend big money in free agency this offseason, but held off. The Colts have plenty of cap space and would be able to absorb Jones’ large contract and could use another big-time weapon on offense. Indianapolis did bring back T.Y. Hilton on a one-year deal, but adding another veteran to the wide receiver room could make a major impact.
Carson Wentz would also be the happiest guy in the world if the Colts were to land one of the best receivers in league history. Wentz wanted out of Philadelphia for a number of reasons, but one reason was because he didn’t have the receiving weapons to help move the ball down the field.
With the Colts being a playoff contender and already having a great roster, adding an elite receiver in Jones may be enough for them to challenge the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC.
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore has one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL with Lamar Jackson at the helm and it could be even more dangerous with the addition of Jones.
The Ravens have been in need of a legit No. 1 receiver for some time now. In regards to Baltimore’s draft plans, Todd McShay of ESPN said in a recent article, “I’m told they are definitely targeting a wide receiver with one of them. I’d be very surprised if a WR isn’t one of those two picks.” Baltimore received a second first-round pick in their recent trade of tackle Orlando Brown.
It might not cost a first-round pick to trade for Jones even though that might be Atlanta initial asking price. In the end, it’ll likely fall down to multiple mid-round picks because of Jones’ contract. If the two sides can begin negotiating a trade now and agree to it, Baltimore can then go ahead a draft a different position of need other than wide receiver in round one.
San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have built the Niners into a Super Bowl contending team over the course of the last couple of years. If the 49ers continue with Jimmy Garoppolo for at least one more season, bringing in Jones would send this offense to another level. And Shanahan and Lynch have proven they aren’t scared to trade away high draft picks for the right players.
Jones appeared in his one and only Super Bowl with Shanahan as his offensive coordinator. In that Super Bowl season, Jones went for over 1,400 yards, six touchdowns, and helped his quarterback (Matt Ryan) win the MVP.
The 49ers can add Jones with George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, and Deebo Samuel, giving them one of the scariest groups of pass catchers in the league.
More from The Woody Paige Sports Network:
- Woody Paige: That time I played blackjack with Michael Jordan in Monte Carlo
- Atlanta Falcons lose by accidentally scoring a touchdown
- Cartoon: 2020 settled the debate — Tom Brady was more important than Bill Belichick
- John Elway’s 7 best moments as General Manager of the Denver Broncos
- Woody Paige: Drew Lock still the most likely starting QB for Broncos in 2021
- Cartoon: Colorado Rockies — A dumpster fire like no other
- Here’s why the Atlanta Falcons should trade down in the 2021 NFL Draft
- Trey Lance betting odds: Two teams favored to draft the former NDSU quarterback
