Let me start by saying this — yes, I know on the surface the idea is kind of crazy.
The Eagles are coming off of a four-win season. Giving up major assets and spending big money on aging veterans is probably not the best blueprint to use during their rebuild. Especially when that aging veteran is coming off of one of the worst seasons of his career.
Certain players, however, are worth pivoting the plan.
Julio Jones, even at 32-years old, is one of those players.
Which his why if the Atlanta Falcons are serious about trading Jones, and it certainly appears they are, the Eagles should definitely explore what it would take to trade for the All-Pro receiver.
The need for Jones is an obvious one for the Eagles. Last season the Eagles had one of the worst set of receivers in the NFL, partially due to injury, but also because of poor drafting. It is possible that new head coach Nick Sirianni is able to get more out of Jalen Reagor and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside than the last coaching staff was, but betting on it is a risky move. Even counting on DeVonta Smith to be the team’s No. 1, every-down receiver is a bit of a risk. There is plenty of upside in the Eagles’ group of receivers, but they definitely lack a quality veteran they can count on.
Jones would fill that void in a major way.
Even last season, when he played just nine games because of hamstring issues, Jones finished with 771 yards and three touchdowns on 51 catches. The 85.7 yards-per-game was close to what he averaged in 2019, when he averaged 92.9 yards-per-game and finished with 1,394 yards and six touchdowns. There is reason to be concerned that he missed time, but the per-game averages are a good sign that when Jones was healthy he showing no signs of declining.
Jones fit on the Eagles’ offense is also obvious. The Eagles could line Jones up opposite Smith and put Reagor in the slot. Jones’ game fits nicely with the Eagles’ current set of receivers, as he brings the size that the receiving core lacks when Smith and Reagor are on the field.
As for the downside of playing veterans over younger players during a rebuild, the good news is Jones wouldn’t be taking snaps away from any younger player that have either earned them or needs them. He won’t be taking snaps away from Smith or Reagor. There would still be some snaps for Greg Ward and Travis Fulgham, but the duo missing snaps in favor of Jones is not going to set the rebuild back. This isn’t like benching Fulgham for Jeffery last year, or if they were to bench Jordan Mailata for Jason Peters.
Another benefit of adding Jones to the roster is the positive impact it will have on Smith. Smith is currently set to be the team’s No. 1 receiver. He has the potential to succeed in that role, but ideally, you don’t want a rookie carrying the weight of an entire unit. Jones would not only be able to help Smith off the field as a veteran presence, but he also take some pressure off of him on the field. As for Reagor, going from the No. 1 receiver last year to the No. 3 receiver this year only increases his chances of succeeding, as the spotlight and defensive pressure will be focused on two other receivers instead of him.
Financially, adding Jones would be expensive, but it wouldn’t be a cap-crippling move. Jones would cost the Eagles $11.2 million against the cap in 2021, which is basically all of the room they have left. They could easily open up space, however, by redoing the deal of Fletcher Cox, who has a base salary of $15 million. Convert that money into a bonus and adding Jones would basically be an even swap financially. Plus, as we saw this offseason, the cap is very easily manipulated. If the Eagles want Jones, and Jones would come to the Eagles, money shouldn’t get in the way.
As for draft compensation, obviously the Eagles shouldn’t deal away a first-or-second round pick. If that is what it costs to land Jones the Eagles should pass. If the league does’t show much interest in Jones, however, the Eagles are set up to swoop in and get him, considering they have 10 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. If Jones can be had for a mid-or-late round pick, the positives he would bring outweigh the benefit of having more picks next season in the later rounds.
By adding Jones, the Eagles would make the lives of the three most important people on their offense — Nick Sirianni, Jalen Hurts and Smith — easier. Jones would improve their chances of making the playoffs and making sure that Sirianni’s rookie season is a success, something that is extremely important for the franchise.
It isn’t a move they must make. If they the stars align, however, there is no doubt the Eagles should consider altering their blueprint for this season and bringing in Jones.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!