Julio Jones

2016

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2015

Jones finished third in the league in receiving yards but likely would have been first had a hip injury not cost him a game against the Steelers' generous pass defense late in the year. In fact, but for the injury, Jones might have challenged the record for receiving yards in a game — he had 259 against the Packers when he was sidelined in the fourth quarter. Impressive per-game yardage and catch totals aside, Jones scored only six touchdowns, thanks to a paltry 12 red-zone targets, tying him for 38th with players like Doug Baldwin and Robert Woods. At 6-3, 220, Jones has excellent red-zone size, and not much competition for work in the area, now that Tony Gonzalez is retired and Roddy White (14 red-zone looks) is on the downside of his career. Expect Jones' red-zone work to increase toward the 20 targets he had in 2012 (he missed most of 2013 with a foot injury) and his touchdown totals to spike accordingly. Unlike most No. 1 receivers, Jones doesn't merely combine plus size with adequate speed, but he actually ran a blistering 4.34 40 at the NFL Combine a few years ago. That puts him in a class with Calvin Johnson as one of the league's rare freak athletes. As such, Jones is liable to make more big plays than your typical star wideout — he led the league with 31 catches of 20-plus yards and averaged 9.8 YPT (sixth among the league's 41 100-target WR). At press time, Jones is healthy, and the Falcons did little to boost their receiving depth this offseason. While last year's pass-friendly offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter could be missed, his replacement, Kyle Shanahan, also favored a pass-heavy attack during his stops in Houston and Washington. As such, expect another big workload for Jones, only with more red-zone targets.

2014

With so many big seasons by the league’s top wideouts, it’s easy to forget Jones was atop the receiving-yardage board when he fractured his foot in Week 5. In fact, in five games, he either had a touchdown or 99 yards in every one. At 6-3, 220 and with 4.34 speed, Jones is arguably the league’s most athletic receiver besides Calvin Johnson, and like Johnson can operate from long range and in the red zone. In fact, Jones had three catches of 40-plus in just five games, a pace that would have put him among the league leaders. Even better, Jones had seven inside-the-10 looks in those five games, a pace that would have dwarfed league-leader Dez Bryant’s 16 in a full season. Of course, Jones was playing alongside a gimpy Roddy White who would have taken at least a couple of those goal-line opportunities were he at full strength. But White will turn 33 in November, so it’s likely Jones’ role will grow relative to White’s in any event. Throw in Tony Gonzalez’s retirement, and Jones – long one of the league’s most efficient wideouts – could also become one of its most heavily targeted. Jones had surgery in October, but is working with the team’s training staff and expected to return sometime in training camp.

2013

If it weren't for Roddy White's established rapport with Matt Ryan and track record of durability, Jones would have a strong case to be the No. 2 receiver on the board. As it stands, Jones is one of the best per-play receivers in the league, averaging 9.3 YPT (9th) last year, and despite being just 19th in targets (129) tied for 11th with 17 catches of 20-plus and ninth with five catches of 40 or more yards. At 6-3, 220, and having run a 4.34 40 at the NFL Combine, Jones is a rare combination of size and speed, possibly the most physically gifted wideout this side of Calvin Johnson. But with White (143 targets) and Tony Gonzalez (124 targets) set to return, and Steven Jackson likely to see his share of touches near the goal line, Jones' ceiling is lower than that of the other elite options on the board.

2012

While Roddy White made his living on volume, Jones was the team’s big-play weapon. Jones averaged a whopping 17.8 YPC (4th among 90-target WR) and 10.1 YPT (7th) and had six catches of 40-plus yards (tied for 7th) in just 13 games. At 6-3, 220, and having run a 4.34 40 at the NFL Combine, Jones is a rare combination of size and speed arguably surpassed only by Calvin Johnson. Jones scored eight TDs despite seeing almost no work inside the red zone – just seven targets, only one of which was from inside the 10. If that keeps up, it’s likely he could approach double-digit scores solely from long distance. But if the Falcons take advantage of Jones’ size from in close, he could find himself among the league leaders. Jones should improve in Year 2, and his rapport with quarterback Matt Ryan should only get better. But as long as White is Ryan’s first read, and Tony Gonzalez (21 targets) and Michael Turner (60 rushes) are the team’s top options in the red zone, Jones’ ceiling will be capped.

2011

Most rookie receivers don't find themselves in prominent roles off the bat. But given what the Falcons gave up to get Jones – the 27th pick, the 59th pick, the 124th pick and next year's first and fourth rounders – their lack of depth beyond Roddy White and their win-now mentality, the team will do everything in its power to get him involved this year. At 6-3, 220 and having run a 4.34 40 at the NFL Combine, Jones is a tremendous athlete and dangerous in any area of the field. He's got ideal red-zone size, a 38-inch vertical leap and good hands. Jones isn't particularly elusive in the open field, but he's tough to bring down and can get yards after the catch. He might not start right away, and White will still be Matt Ryan's first look, but expect Jones to be a factor this year. Jones had surgery to repair a fracture in his foot in March but should be healthy for the start of training camp.