One past disastrous trade for a Falcons receiver is not enough to stop the Patriots from considering acquiring Julio Jones.
The Patriots have had internal discussions about Jones, according to NFL Network. And NBC Sports Boston might have the other piece of the trade puzzle based on a report that Jones “wants to play with Cam Newton” and thinks Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan “has lost a little zing on his deep ball.”
The Patriots have been in the receiver market for years, and one of their failed solutions was trading a second-round pick to the Falcons for Mohamed Sanu in October 2019. Sanu had 26 catches for 207 yards and one touchdown in a disappointing eight games for the Patriots before he was released and began bouncing around the NFL.
But likening Sanu to Jones is like comparing apples and oranges.
Jones, 32, was an All-Decade receiver in the 2010s whose average season from 2014-19 consisted of 103 catches for 1,564 yards and six touchdowns. That’s an incredible six-year run that ended when he missed seven games last season battling injuries. He still managed 51 catches for 771 yards and three touchdowns in nine games.
The departure of Tom Brady and the retirement of Julian Edelman has intensified the spotlight on the recent underwhelming production of Patriots receivers, including 2019 first-round draft disappointment N’Keal Harry. The Patriots signed Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor in free agency.
Newton and Jones spent years battling in the NFC South during the Falcons-Panthers rivalry. They were picked No. 1 and No. 6, respectively, in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Newton is entering his second season with the Patriots in a quarterback battle with rookie Mac Jones. The Falcons are in salary-cap hell and could free up long-term space by trading Jones while still having Calvin Ridley and rookie Kyle Pitts as elite options for Ryan’s twilight years.
It is curious that Jones reportedly thinks Ryan’s fastball has lost some juice, but would be excited to team up with Newton, whose shoulder surgeries have robbed some of his once-great arm strength. Newton set career-lows in passing attempts, passing yards and passing touchdowns last season.
