He has been working out with Derrick Henry, but the Tennessee Titans are not the only team interested in Julio Jones.
According to Michael Giardi of NFL Network, the New England Patriots have emerged as a serious contender.
Can’t speak to what Julio Jones wants, but was told the #Patriots have had internal discussions about the wide receiver. The 32-year old had been incredibly durable until this past season when he dealt with a troublesome hamstring.
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) May 22, 2021
The Patriots are considering making a trade for Falcons WR Julio Jones, per @MikeGiardi pic.twitter.com/wabnSQS8FY
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 22, 2021
The organization has pondered the idea of having Jones, and getting him from the Atlanta Falcons in a trade would make the Patriots a Super Bowl-caliber team in the fall. Jones, 32, is one of the best all-around wide receivers in the National Football League. He has been the face of the Falcons since it traded up to the No. 6 overall pick to select him in the 2011 NFL Draft.
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The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has been selected to seven Pro Bowls and was twice named first-team All-Pro (2015, 2016). He has twice led the NFL for receiving yards (2015, 2018) and is on the league’s 2010s All-Decade Team. Jones has totaled seven 1,000-yard seasons in 10 years, including five 1,400-yard campaigns. He set career-highs in receptions (136), receiving yards (1,871), and yards per game (116.9) in 2015.
Jones was hampered by a nagging hamstring injury in 2020, but he’s been very durable throughout his career. New England resigned Cam Newton to another one-year deal, but it took Mac Jones in the first round.
Julio Jones played at Alabama from 2008 to 2010. He captured a BCS National Championship in 2009 and totaled 1,133 yards receiving with seven touchdowns in his junior year. If Mac Jones beats out Newton in training camp, we could have a Jones to Jones connection for the Patriots. Alabama fans would love to see that chemistry become prolific in the NFL, especially with the accuracy Mac Jones has. It will be intriguing to see what happens, but the Patriots are interested in acquiring Julio Jones.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
