Colts: Julio Jones could be upgraded Alshon Jeffery for Carson Wentz
By Mike Luciano
The Indianapolis Colts could solve some of their biggest offensive issues with a receiver like Atlanta Falcons stud Julio Jones. With seven Pro Bowl nods, five All-Pro selections, two receiving titles, and the NFL record for receiving yards per game, Jones has cemented himself as one of the best receivers in NFL history.
Frank Reich and Carson Wentz will still have capable guys at wide receiver in TY Hilton, Michael Pittman Jr., and potential breakout star Parris Campbell, but adding someone with tight end size and track star speed, even in his advanced age, could turn the entire offense completely on its head.
Jones might’ve dealt with some injuries last year, but that doesn’t change the fact that Atlanta’s passing attack will be among the best in the game if he laces them up for another year with the Falcons. Unfortunately, conflicting and questionable claims about how ready Atlanta is to win now could still keep the trade winds roaring.
With Arthur Smith and the Falcons looking to potentially move some money around and start a rebuild, Jones might be sent to a team in need of cap space, per Michael Rothstein. Jones is the type of receiver that Indianapolis could make the featured option in a very unique passing game, even at the cost of significant draft capital.
I have been told that Julio Jones will not be with the Falcons in 2021.
— Ryan McDowell (@RyanMc23) May 10, 2021
Here, @mikerothstein has a good look at possible suitors, including NE, SF, IND & LV.https://t.co/RrHELnAwW9
Julio Jones could change the game for the Colts and aid Carson Wentz.
Reich and Wentz had tons of success with Alshon Jeffery, a 6-foot-4 bulldog who, once upon a time, was able reel in difficult catches along the sideline and in the red zone. Jones’ speed is several tiers above Jeffery’s, and his likely ability to bail Wentz out on 50-50 balls could help him get acclimated to his new digs in Indianapolis fairly quickly.
While Jones can line up at any wide receiver spot, he would be an ideal X receiver for Reich’s offense, as he could provide more immediate production when compared to Pittman, who could be flipped to Atlanta in order to entice them to send Jones to the Colts.
Getting Jones will be tough, as they already gave up a good chunk of the package to Philadelphia in order to get Wentz, so the Colts would either need to sacrifice some of their young talent or a number of future draft picks. For a player of his caliber, however, it’s absolutely worthwhile since the Colts would be, without question, the best in the AFC South on the back of their passing game.
The Colts have a rare opportunity to get Wentz a receiver that could become the possession threat and a vertical field stretcher all wrapped up in one package. Jones has his money and would be a Hall of Famer if he retired tomorrow, he just needs that ring after 28-3 stole one from him, and the Colts might be able to help.
