The team that has won the NFC North the past three seasons needs to restock their wide receiving corps. Could the Green Bay Packers call on Julio Jones?
Julio Jones knows a little something about a franchise giving up a lot to acquire a talented performer. Back in 2011, the Atlanta Falcons orchestrated a massive trade with the Cleveland Browns to move up to the sixth spot in the NFL draft to put themselves in position to secure the services of the University of Alabama standout.
It’s been a pretty wild week or so when it comes to star wide receivers changing teams. The latest move came on Wednesday. Speedster Tyreek Hill is going from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Miami Dolphins for five selections over the next two drafts (via Spotrac).
A few days earlier, the Green Bay Packers sent wideout Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders for a first- and a second-round pick in April. He departs after racking up 669 catches for 8,121 yards and 73 scores in eight seasons with the club.
“He is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in the storied history of the Packers,” stated Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst (via Bill Huber of SI.com). So how does the franchise go about replacing that caliber of player?
Packers: Julio Jones is worth a flier to fill void left by Davante Adams
Julio Jones is an 11-year veteran whose best days might be behind him. The former member of the Crimson Tide missed seven games in his final season with the Falcons. He was dealt to the Tennessee Titans a year ago and also missed seven regular-season contests but did return for the team’s playoff encounter with the Bengals.
In 15 games with Atlanta in 2019, Jones was named to his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl via 99 receptions for 1,394 yards and six scores. In 19 regular-season outings the past two years, there have been a combined 82 grabs for 1,205 yards and four touchdowns. He did come up with six catches for 62 yards in the home playoff loss to Cincinnati but was released by the Titans this offseason.
Along with Adams, the Packers watched Equanimeous St. Brown sign with the Chicago Bears. And Marquez Valdes-Scantling remains an unsigned unrestricted free agent. Jones could be a solid quick fix, granted he’s able to stay healthy. And that has been an issue for two straight years.