[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyh7crnrcs3ypf player_id=none image=https://titanswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
The Tennessee Titans pulled off arguably the biggest trade — and quite possibly the biggest move overall — of the entire NFL offseason when they landed wide receiver Julio Jones in a deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
Some out there don’t think Jones will move the needle all that much for Tennessee, whether it be because they think the veteran is on the downside of his career and/or are concerned with his injury history, or because of their uninformed disrespect of Ryan Tannehill.
Hall-of-Fame talent evaluator and NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt sees things differently. In fact, he ranked Jones at No. 1 on his list of the best players traded this offseason and believes the 32-year-old will make a big impact.
The two-time first-team All-Pro will be a definite upgrade over Corey Davis as a complementary receiver opposite emerging star A.J. Brown. Jones should flourish as a deep threat in Tennessee’s play-action passing game working with Ryan Tannehill, one of just seven quarterbacks to post a passer rating on throws of 20-plus air yards of 100 or better in each of the past two seasons, per Next Gen Stats. The 32-year-old Jones will be highly motivated to show how much he has left coming off his final season in Atlanta, when he was limited by injury.
Adding to Brandt’s spot-on evaluation of Jones’ potential in Tennessee, the Titans now have a passing attack that can carry them when Derrick Henry isn’t going off, which has been an issue in the team’s last two playoff exits.
Brandt isn’t the only one from NFL.com who is high on Jones, as the outlet’s Dan Hanzus recently pegged him to be the Titans’ most valuable player in 2021. We tend to think Henry is a better bet, but Jones is certainly capable.
If the Titans’ offense turns out to be as great as it looks on paper and the defense can improve from its near-league-worst showing from last season, Tennessee will have a great shot to make a Super Bowl run.
[lawrence-related id=66198,66182,66163]
[vertical-gallery id=66200]