The Jacksonville Jaguars updated their roster this offseason, adding depth and a few free-agent playmakers. Their wide receiver corps looks stronger after their offseason acquisitions, but the brass of the organization could still add a wide upper-echelon before or during the 2021 Draft. The Atlanta Falcons got calls about the availability of wide receiver Julio Jones from NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. The insider adds that teams can not trade for the All-Pro until June 1, but that a trade could be feasible due to the “brutal cap situation” of the Falcons.
Rapoport doesn’t mention which teams are involved in Jones’ trading, but he does have a list of possible suitors. After all, he’s one of the NFL’s best wide receivers and remains strong after ten years in the league. He posted six consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons before missing seven games in 2020, and even last year he caught 51 passes for 771 yards with three end zone trips and averaged 15.1 yards per catch.
A first-round pick in 2011, Jones started 134 games with 848 catches for 12,896 yards and 60 touchdowns. He’s also posted 15.2 yards during his career, earning seven Pro Bowl nods and two All-Pro designations. The Baltimore Ravens and the Detroit Lions might use him, maybe the Las Vegas Raiders too, but how about the Jacksonville Jaguars?
Here’s why the Jacksonville Jaguars shouldn’t get the machine.
If you read the headline, you know where. Jones shouldn’t swap Jaguars. There’s no suggestion they’ve asked about his services or considered it, but either way, they should refrain from doing it. As good as the Alabama product, with DJ Chark Jr. and Laviska Shenault Jr., this Jacksonville team signed Marvin Jones Jr., arguably their best addition this offseason, and their wide receiver corps is in good shape.
Jones could definitely support the Jaguars and Trevor Lawrence, and every quarterback would like to throw passes at the veteran, but Jacksonville doesn’t make a difference from being a Super Bowl candidate. He’d be an unwanted luxury on a reconstruction team in the early stages.
The Jags will still be on the hook for Jones’ heavy salary, which wouldn’t make sense after a cautious free agent cap strategy. The team’s brass chose not to chase big-name stars in the open market, and dealing would run counter to their offseason plan.
Nobody would dispute Jones is a fine recipient and could finally be enshrined in Fame’s Pro Football Hall. Nevertheless, the Jags should sit out.
Jones | Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @njtimesofficial. To get latest updates
