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NFL rumors: Patriots, Belichick are a Julio Jones away from something big

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 06: Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons warms-up prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 06: Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons warms-up prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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After all the moves the New England Patriots have made this offseason, Bill Belichick may still have one major move up his sleeve.  A move that would not only shock the entire NFL, but a move that would thrill the fanbase.  A move that could land future Hall-of-Fame wide receiver Julio Jones.

To pull off such a move, Belichick will have to offer the cap-strapped Atlanta Falcons a trade proposal that will out-weigh teams heavy in on Jones like the Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks.

Interestingly, the rumbles around the Titans and Jones have been hot and cold, with the latest rumors having the team all but set to make the move.

New England Patriots fans set up for disappointment?

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According to a recent report by Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, Tennessee has suddenly become the more likely trade partner of the Falcons:

"“In league circles, the current expectation is that, eventually, the Falcons will send Jones to the Titans for a second-round pick.This isn’t a report that the Titans have offered or will offer a second-round pick, or that the Falcons will take a second-round pick for Jones.  They continue to want a first rounder for Jones, with the Falcons contributing nothing to his salary in 2021 or 2022.  This is simply a reflection of the current thinking among folks in the know about where this is all likely to end up.”"

Florio went on to say that it wouldn’t be surprising if some team actually did have a first rounder on the table as previously reported.  Who that team could be is a mystery, but Pete Carroll, Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks are a Julio Jones move away from being a pretty unstoppable offense.

Could they be in line to give the Falcons the first-round pick and salary relief they covet?

Or could it actually be the Patriots?

How the New England Patriots can win the Julio Jones sweepstakes

It really comes down to where Julio Jones wants to be.

At 32 years of age, is he at the point in his career where he just wants to be a complimentary piece as he would be with the Seahawks or does he still want to be the focal target of a team on the brink of being a Super Bowl contender?

That is where both the Patriots and Titans fit in.

While forming a dynamic wide receiver duo with A.J. Brown would certainly make the Titans a team to be reckoned with, he would be the piece of the puzzle the Patriots are missing from becoming a dangerous offense, even if Cam Newton is the starting quarterback.

Not only would they have a tight end duo with the potential of being the best in all of the NFL in Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, but they would also have that big target down the field; a beast who can adjust to the ball and out-fight defenders.

Unless N’Keal Harry suddenly morphs into that guy, obtaining Julio Jones is more a necessity for the Patriots as it would be for the other teams involved.  So, a second-round pick is certainly in play if you are Bill Belichick.  To sweeten the deal, he could have the Falcons take on some of that salary and also offer Atlanta a player that can help them.

Stephon Gilmore, Sony Michel, Harry, Dont’a Hightower, Chase Winovich?  The Patriots do have some talent they can offer in the deal if they truly being in what Jones has in the tank.

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It is well known Julio Jones does want to play with Cam Newton, but it really comes down to Bill Belichick believing in the wide receiver enough to outbid other teams for his services.  Let’s remember, the last time Belichick came off a season in which he was ridiculed, hey went out and acquired Randy Moss.

In conclusion, anything is possible when June 1 hits… and nothing should be a big shock.  Belichick is on a mission and a player exactly like Julio Jones is the ammunition he must value.

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