Take this nugget for what it’s worth, but Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio has revealed that the Tennessee Titans are the “perceived favorites” to land Julio Jones in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons.
According to what he is hearing in league circles, Florio says the expectation is that the Titans will eventually land the seven-time Pro Bowler for a second-round pick. Here’s what he had to say:
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.
Again, it’s important to note that Florio isn’t reporting a deal between the Falcons and Titans is imminent, but rather what those “in the know” are thinking about the situation involving the star receiver.
This differs from a recent report from ESPN’s Dianna Russini, which stated that while the Titans were in on Jones, they were considered a long shot.
If all it takes is a second-round pick — of course, the Titans have to pick up his base salaries totaling over $38 million over the next three years as well but can fit him in with contract restructures — Tennessee shouldn’t think twice about making the move.
We’re even on board with the Titans giving up a first-rounder if that’s what it takes, as Tennessee would likely be picking late in the round anyway, making a trade involving an opening-round selection easier to swallow.
Not only would Jones address the team’s need at wide receiver, he’d give the Titans an outstanding trio on offense, along with A.J. Brown and Derrick Henry.
If Tennessee truly wants to go for it in 2021, they should be all-in on Jones.
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