Atlanta Falcons: Top 5 Players Heading Into 2015
By John Buhler
44. . Wide Receiver. Alabama. Julio Jones. 2. player
The Atlanta Falcons are fortunate to have a Top 5 wide receiver on their roster. Julio Jones has been one of the NFL’s most explosive vertical threats since joining the Falcons as the 6th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Jones has made it to two Pro Bowls as an Atlanta Falcon (2012 and 2014). He was one pace to have an extraordinary year in 2013 before a severely broken leg sidelined Julio after Week 5.
Jones has averaged over 100 yards per game receiving the last two seasons in Atlanta. He set a career high in receptions and yards last year, catching 104 passes for 1,593 yards, nearly missing an All-Pro selection.
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Julio is playing in a contract year in 2015 as his rookie deal with the Atlanta Falcons expires at the end of the season. Both Jones’ agent and Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff are in heavy discussions about keeping Julio in Atlanta for the long term. While Jones could have easily held out of OTA’s and Minicamp until a new deal came into being, Julio plans to practice his heart out for the Falcons so that his team can get back into the playoffs this fall.
It’s a very high character move on Julio Jones’ part to put the team first instead of his own financial gains. He looks to learn as much as he can in new Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s offense and be a shining example of what it means to play for the Atlanta Falcons. Expect Julio to have an All-Pro caliber year for the Dirty Birds this fall.
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