The Julio Jones saga (I think we’ve officially reached saga status) continues to dominate football talk in New England. There’s been a hearty amount of noise generated the past week-plus. We’ve heard Julio say on live TV he wants out of Atlanta. Rumor is he’d like to play with Cam Newton, with accompanying recent buzz that he’d prefer to be traded to the Titans or the Patriots.
No doubt Jones is still an impact player, but just how much impact would he make in New England, and how much noise would the retooled Patriots be able to make in a competitive AFC if Jones joins them? According to one prominent analyst the answer is a lot.
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, a respected football mind who’s usually fair in his Patriots analysis, believes the acquisition of Jones would vault the Patriots into the top four of the AFC, alongside the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs. Said Orlovsky on the Patriots possibly landing Jones, “This offense goes in one year from really pedestrian last year to, if they got Julio Jones, they would be one of the hardest offenses in the NFL to stop.” He went on to call Jones “a one-on-one weapon on the outside that is almost impossible to cover in that situation”.
Who says no to that?
The Patriots signed receivers Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne to free agent deals this offseason, alongside premier tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry. But the team hasn’t had a receiver of Jones’ size and talent since Randy Moss. Hence it’s safe to say most fans in Foxboro would love to see the team acquire Jones. Whatever the price, if he helps take their team back to at least the Divisional Round of the playoffs, and maybe further, then it’s a deal worth making. Reports are the Falcons have been holding out for a first round pick for Jones, but prevailing opinion is the asking price could soon drop.
Stay tuned to WEEI and WEEI.com for the latest.