The Falcons have received trade inquiries for wide receiver Julio Jones (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The Falcons have indicated that Jones will be staying put, but teams believe that Atlanta’s cap situation could nudge them towards a deal. Peter King of NBC Sports and Albert Breer of The MMQB have heard similar buzz, noting that they wouldn’t be shocked if the All-Pro is traded.
For cap reasons, any Jones trade would have to wait until after June 1, when his dead money charge could be split between 2021 and 2022. So far, the Falcons have rebuffed inquiries on their more notable veterans, including quarterback Matt Ryan, linebacker Deion Jones, and left tackle Jake Matthews. Still, Breer believes that a first-round pick could be enough to sway the Falcons. King, meanwhile, thinks that a second-round pick sounds about right.
Jones, 32, remains an effective weapon when healthy. And, even though he missed seven games last year, his remaining salaries between now and 2023 are fairly reasonable with the Falcons eating a chunk of the dollars. Any team acquiring Jones would be on the hook for payouts of $15.3MM, $11.513MM, and $11.513MM in each season.
“We expect Julio to be a Falcon, to be playing next year at a very high level as well,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said recently. “God-willing, taking care of his body, his hamstring will be healed up. He’ll be able to play in more games than he played last year..”
Still, if new GM Terry Fontenot gets the right offer, Jones could wind up elsewhere in June.
Would take a 1 to get him. What team is a WR away? Ravens #31 to ATL. Makes sense. Better than selecting an unknown rookie. Still have their own pick.
It’s a limited market, what about the Bears?
they’d have to find a way to shed some salary and ATL isn’t taking it
That trade makes logical sense for both sides if they decide to move him.
I think ATL needs to make a clear decision before the draft. Either draft a QB at 4 & move your vets for picks, embark on a full rebuild.
Or load up, draft Pitts at 4 or trade back. Make another run at it this year & next.
I think 5 years ago he’d be worth a #1 and more. Not sure about a #1 now.
He will be following AJ Green path sooner than later.
Jags #33 , they have the cap space
Pats should jump all over this give them Henry and a 4th or Michel or one of the corners Jackson or Gilmore obviously draft comp depends on the player they want
Falcons don’t have the cap space with the dead money from Julio to move him and take a vet on a contract. And who wants Michel? I’m a Georgia fan and I don’t want anything to do with that.
Ya but the other guys are on small deals Henry, Michel, Jackson and Wynn are all on rookie contracts so it’s possible anything is in the NFL the cap is so easy to work a round
Henry as in Hunter Henry? He is certainly not on his rookie deal still.
Opps sorry wrong guy in meant Harry
Any trade would be after June 1 – after the draft so its 2022 picks that are in play not this years. I could see the Jets sending the 2022 first rounder they got from seattle and maybe switch picks in later rounds.
This is 100 percent correct. The dead cap hit goes from $21M to just over $7M after June 1. Not sure I’ve ever seen this in the NFL, but could a team draft for Atlanta in a few rounds, then trade for Julio with those picks after June 1? Otherwise, it would have to be 2022 picks.
It can be done but it is difficult because the team drafting the “to be traded player” has to sign him first and then keep fingers crossed atlanta doesn’t change their mind or a player gets injured or arrested etc for the 5 weeks between the draft and June 1. Most likely will be 2022 picks involved – or a case where the team getting jones will draft a veterans replacement filling a future hole knowing they will trade said veteran
Can’t they draft a player and trade him later in any deal
REAL Question
No way is he worth a 1 at this stage of his career.
“We expect Julio will be a Falcon” means he should be contacting a real estate agent…
Colts for a #2 makes sense for both, they’re in the window and have the cap space and Atlanta needs to dig out of their cap hell. If they stay at #4 and draft Pitts this would really make sense.
A second round pick for Julio? Sign me up
Not worth a 1….not anymore.
Pats send their 1st for Jones and 2nd for Garoppolo
Colts, Ravens, and Chargers are the only teams I’d expect to be seriously in play.
I’ve been saying they need to trade Jones and Ryan for a good min now, free up cap space and rebuild. Do it the right way for once