In five season, Julio Jones has become an unstoppable force in the National Football League.
His size (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) makes it difficult for players to guard him, while his hands, speed and route running capabilities make him all the more beneficial to Falcons’ quarterback Matt Ryan.
The NFL top 100, which is a list created by the players, aired its rankings from 10 to one on Wednesday via NFL Network. Jones was listed at No. 8; an increase of five spots from 2015.
One of the best in the game.
JULIOOOOOOOO! #NFLTop100 pic.twitter.com/QIR3YO1fuD
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) July 7, 2016
"If I was his backyard QB. If there were 10 people on him, you throw the ball up because you know he's gonna get it."https://t.co/ZQL04NBz7N
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) July 7, 2016
He set a franchise record in receiving last year with 136 catches for 1,871 yards and eight touchdowns, while becoming the first wide out in league history to record at least 130 catches and 1,800 yards in a season. His performance earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl for the third time in his career, and the status of being named to first team All-Pro. The former Alabama standout and 2009 BCS national champion has totaled 6,201 career receiving yards and 34 touchdowns on 414 catches.
He became the NFL’s highest-paid receiver back on Aug. 29, 2015, when he signed a five-year, $71.5 million contract ($47 million guaranteed).
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
