There are a few similarities when it comes to Julio Jones and Randy Moss not only on the field, but also when it comes to Jones potentially joining the Patriots.
On the field, they are two of the best receivers ever to play the game with their strength being able to stretch the defense and hit on big plays. Last year, Jones tied Moss for the most games with at least 125 yards receiving (35).
Moss started his career (1998-2003) with at least 1,233 yards receiving, which is similar to Jones who had six straight seasons (2014-19) with at least 1,394 receiving yards. After a few down years and issues with the Raiders, Moss was traded to the Patriots prior to the 2007 season.
Jones, who is coming off an injury-plagued 2020 season and doesn't seem to be seeing eye-to-eye with Atlanta, seems destined to be traded and the Patriots are one of the destinations being rumored the most.
This too is another similarity — if it were to happen.
Moss was acquired during the 2007 offseason, which also saw the team add Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker at the wide receiver position. As a whole, the team loaded up that offseason following a tough AFC Championship loss to the Colts the season before.
Fast forward to this offseason, following a dreadful 7-9 2020 campaign the Patriots have also loaded up this offseason, spending more money than any other offseason in the Bill Belichick era and added offensive stars like Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, as well as Nelson Agholor.
Moss had three straight 1,000-yard seasons with New England rejuvenating his career in his early 30s, which is exactly where Jones is.
It’s also not like it would cost the Patriots much, either.
While it won’t be as cheap as the Patriots getting Moss for a fourth-round pick, it feels like Jones could eventually be had for a second-rounder, which in these times is a steal for a No. 1 NFL wide receiver.
As players Jones and Moss are very similar, and then if the Patriots were to acquire Jones, it would also be very similar to how they added Moss.
Will it actually happen? We’ll see.
