Julio Jones rumors: What Patriots, Belichick should give for star receiver

After yesterday’s appearance on Undisputed, it sounds like Julio Jones is all but out of Atlanta. As his availability becomes more certain, New England Patriots have been featured on the list of potential suitors. The move makes too much sense.

On top of the Patriots interest in the wide-out, it’s been speculated that Julio Jones has serious interest in teaming up with Cam Newton.

If Bill Belichick pulls the trigger on this it wouldn’t only completely change the offense, it would shake up the AFC as we know it.

The Pats would instantly become a Super Bowl contender, if they weren’t already, and they would have one of the best offensive units in the entire NFL. But, what would it take?

Albert Breer reported that ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft, when teams were calling about Jones, the Falcons wanted a 1st round pick for the wide-receiver. Since then their price has fallen to a 2nd round pick, something the Patriots gave them just a few years ago for a different WR, Mo Sanu.

My favorite deal the Patriots could offer Atlanta

Julio Jones is guaranteed $15.3 million dollars this season. Although the Patriots have the room to take that on, they would be left with around $600,000 in cap after making the move. Belichick likes to have wiggle room when it comes to the cap number heading into the season, so he would have to create more somewhere.

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The easiest solution to this problem would be to include N’Keal Harry in the trade. This season, he has a cap hit around $2.7 million. Although Atlanta is cap-strapped a bit, this a cheap contract for a WR, and they would have the opportunity to develop a player who has great size, something they’d be losing on the outside upon the departure of Jones.

Even with Harry, the Falcons would want a pick. They’re reportedly asking for a 2nd rounder, but with N’Keal in the mix, the Patriots could get it done with a 3rd or 4th. In this scenario, I could see the Patriots receiving a late round pick along with Jones.

Full Trade: 

Patriots Receive – Julio Jones, 6th Round Pick 

Atlanta Receives – N’Keal Harry , 3rd or 4th Round Pick 

When you have the opportunity to get a generational talent, at a position you need, you take it. Some may argue he’s getting older, going through injuries, but Jones is still performing at a high-level on the field.

Last season he played in 9 games totaling just under 800 yards and 3 TDs. But just a year earlier in 2019, Jones started 15 games for Atlanta. He had 99 catches, nearly 1,400 yards, and 6 TDs. When healthy, Julio Jones is a problem for every defense in football.

The ability to run a route, stop on a dime, and make your defender fall isn’t something a 6′ 3″ WR should be able to do. Physical specimen.

As the bookmakers in Vegas try to gauge where he will land, a big change was made to the line this morning. The New England Patriots now sit as the betting favorite to land Jones…

Could this be a Randy Moss type signing for Bill and the Patriots? Let’s hope so.