The Atlanta Falcons want to keep Julio Jones, but Jones could become a cap casualty per a post-June 1 trade this summer anyway.
If the Falcons were to trade Julio, the team would get approximately $15.3 million in cap space the team desperately needs to sign their draft picks. The Falcons currently only have around $500,000 in cap space.
But, what if the Falcons can't find a trade partner for Jones? What if the compensation offered in return is not what the Falcons expect? Teams could try to low-ball the Falcons knowing the team is in desperate need of freeing up some cap space.
Chris GoForth says the Falcons only have two options if they don't trade Julio. Either restructure Julio's deal to free up the money or restructure Grady Jarrett's contract to free up the money.
That's the kind of cap hell former GM Thomas Dimitroff has put the Falcons in and the kind of behavior that got him fired.
It's apparent new GM Terry Fontenot and new head coach Arthur Smith think the Falcons can win now, or at least compete now. A Julio Jones trade, while not something the team would want to do, could be the answer for a cash-strapped team.
Chris GoForth speculates on what a Julio Jones trade could look like and the options the Falcons have if they don't trade him.