Patriots 2021 trade targets: Julio Jones still a very fascinating option

Will Julio Jones finally end up in a New England Patriots uniform?

The rumors have certainly been swirling over the past few seasons and perhaps now is the time for Bill Belichick to finally pick up the phone and make an offer for the 32-year-old wide receiver.

We all know the Patriots need a No. 1 wide receiver and Jones is that even at the other side of 30.  But will the Atlanta Falcons actually pull the trigger and trade him?

NFL.com writer Adam Rank makes a great case on why the Atlanta Falcons should consider moving on from Jones in his recent article “Five NFL stars who SHOULD be traded this offseason.”

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Here is the main meat of the reason why Jones should be traded:

"“Moving Jones makes a lot of sense, with the emergence of Calvin Ridley this past season. Ridley had 100-plus receiving yards in five of seven games without Julio, so he’s ready to go. And that’s the thing. Julio just turned 32. He played just nine games last season due to injury. Let him try to get in one last run for a championship on a team that’s kind of close.”"

Coming off an injury riddled season in which he caught 51 receptions for 771 yards in just nine games played, the physical specimen that is Julio Jones still have plenty in the tank and could easily have a monster year in New England playing for a coach like Belichick.

Now, this will all depend on who the Patriots have at quarterback.  If it was Tom Brady, this possible trade would have much more steam, but given the team’s current status as a non-contender, Belichick’s squad is not considered a destination for a hungry player who wants another shot at a Super Bowl run.

But things do change rather quickly in the NFL and anyone would be a fool to count out Belichick who has a resume of motivating star players who appeared to be on the downside of their careers.

Just think Corey Dillon and Randy Moss.

What would the Patriots need to give up for Julio Jones?

A couple seasons ago, it would’ve certainly taken at least a first-round pick to pry Julio Jones away from that Falcons.

With the emergence of Ridley and Jones aging, it could just take a high-round pick and an additional mid-to-late round pick to make a long-time rumor a reality.

If you are thinking money could be an issue, the Patriots have the cap space available to make it happen

Quarterback issues aside, the addition of a veteran star receiver like Jones would make life easier for any field general the Patriots have under center in 2021.  He would also be a value on young players like N’Keal Harry and Jakobi Meyers.

Again, he is not as young as a Michael Thomas (another player who could be on the trade block), but the way he can still dominate the field when healthy is something the New England Patriots need if Belichick is actually positioning his team to go on another Super Bowl run now.

There are a lot of holes to fill but landing a player like Jones without giving up too much is a nice start to that.