2:20pm: The Falcons have since confirmed they’re exercising Jones’ option (Twitter link).
2:11pm: The Falcons are exercising their fifth-year option on Julio Jones, extending his contract through the 2015 season, reports Jay Glazer of Fox Sports (via Twitter). Based on Glazer’s wording, it appears the move isn’t official yet, but the club is likely in the process of finalizing it.
It was just over three years ago that the Falcons sent a handful of draft picks to the Browns in order to move up in the 2011 draft and snag Jones with the sixth overall pick. Since then, the 25-year-old has developed into one of the NFL’s more dangerous offensive playmakers. While Jones missed most of the 2013 season with a foot injury, he ranked among the league leaders in receiving yards (1,198) and receiving touchdowns (10) in 2012.
As our fifth-year option tracker shows, since Jones was selected in the top 10, his 2015 salary will equal the 2014 transition tag amount for wide receivers. As such, he’ll be in line for a $10.176MM salary, which is currently guaranteed for injury only. That money will become fully guaranteed on the first day of the 2015 league year.