Julio Jones was a star in the making. During his college days at Alabama, he was regarded as the guy who had next in the league. The Atlanta Falcons would select him in the first round with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft which was a loaded class. During his time in Atlanta, Julio and Matt Ryan became one of the best quarterback/receiver tandems in the league and Julio was labeled as the best wide receiver in the game then. After spending the first ten seasons of his career with the Falcons, he was traded to the Tennessee Titans last Summer. It was the thought of Derrick Henry, A.J. Brown and Julio on one team as a trio. Sadly, the three never saw much playing time together as injuries piled up. The veteran receiver was released after one season in Nashville. This year, he will return back to the NFC South. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed the former Falcon and Titan to a one-year deal.
When he’s healthy, I call him a physical specimen. At 6’3 and 220 pounds, Julio has the speed of a slot receiver. He’s a phenomenal athlete with the size, explosiveness and speed. He’s always done the little things with some consistency. I’ve watched him for years and the one thing I always take away from his game is the body control he possesses. He will do whatever he can to keep himself in bounds and it amazes you to watch a man of his size do this. Another thing I can take away from his game is the catch radius he has. This means he could have the entire secondary plastered against him in coverage and he will still find a way to make the catch. The best part of his game is the ability to run the comeback route 18 or 20 yards deep like it’s nothing, then he dips in as if he were a slot receiver. Julio is extremely attentive to detail on the field. He knows how to position himself perfectly to make that play on the ball. Also, he’s a sharp route runner. Julio is that one guy that if you don’t circle in on him, he can and will do damage.
I know injuries have been the norm with him. He’s a bit older and past his prime at this point of his career. I don’t think this is a bad move for the Buccaneers. This just gives Brady another weapon to work with. Listen to this offense. Tom Brady, Leonard Fournette, Mike Evans, Julio Jones and Chris Godwin when he returns back to the field. This could be what Julio needs. He doesn’t need to be the main guy as he’s been in years past.
