Julio Jones landing spots: 4 teams likely to pursue Falcons receiver via trade

It’s no secret the Patriots receiving corps is lacking. And while New England made some additions in Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor, as well as tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, none of those guys can have the impact like Jones.

NBC Sports’ Peter King mentions the Patriots as a possibility, and also add that the cost for Jones would likely be a future pick, probably at least a 2022 second rounder.

Based on the busy offseason the Patriots have had, Bill Belichick clearly wants to be back atop the AFC East and what better way to get there than to add a star like Julio Jones to the team?

If there’s one thing the Ravens offense lacks right now, it’s a bona fide No. 1 receiver. While Marquise “Hollywood” Brown has been the go-to target for Lamar Jackson, he has yet to put together a season of 1,000 receiving yards.

But adding Jones to complement Brown would give the Ravens one of the most dangerous receiving duos in the league and make the offense that much more versatile and difficult to slow down after mostly dominating just the ground game the last two seasons.

Jones, of course, would need to stay healthy but defense would still have to respect his presence alone, which could make him the weapon Jackson needs to make the Ravens offense unstoppable and get him to lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl.

The Ravens also may be in the best position to make a deal for Jones. They have the luxury of two 2022 third-round picks they can incorporate in any package.

The Titans are a team in need of another wide receiver after losing Corey Davis in free agency as well as tight end Jonnu Smith. While A.J. Brown has certainly proven capable of being a No. 1 receiver with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, the team is lacking in any receiver depth behind him.

Jones would be able to complement Brown as a big-bodied target for Ryan Tannehill, especially on third-down and red-zone situations, and also force defenses to still respect the passing game, which is critical as the Titans offense goes through Derrick Henry in the backfield.

After losing Tyrell Williams in free agency, you can bet Jon Gruden will be eyeing for another wide receiver opposite Henry Ruggs III in his offense. Gruden and the Raiders have been aggressive in the trade market for a receiver before, dealing for Antonio Brown two years ago, although that did not quite work out for them.

But Jones is a safer bet than Brown, even at 32 years old. The Raiders are over the cap, though, so any deal for Jones would require some restructuring of contracts, but you can bet if Gruden wants his star receiver, they will try to find a way where they can make it work.