Colts: Debunking every reason that argues against trading for Julio Jones
2. “It’s not worth surrendering draft capital for a 32-year-old.”
Don’t get us wrong, we LOVE draft picks — especially when general manager Chris Ballard gets to use them. And generally, the above sentiment would ring true most of the time. But not in the case of Julio Jones.
Similar to the DeForest Buckner deal (the Colts traded their 2020 first-round pick for the star defensive lineman), Jones brings a similar impact. Before being shut down for the remainder of the 2020 season, the two-time All-Pro hauled in 51 passes for 771 yards across nine games. He achieved that while battling hip and hamstring injuries at different points of the year.
And it’s not like the Falcons, at least according to reports, are looking for multiple top draft selections in return for Jones. It could be as high as a first-rounder, which isn’t exactly ideal, but many feel it could be a second-rounder. Is that really a prohibitive amount? How many second-round picks for the rest of time will live up to Jones’ potential? How many first-rounders will?!
He might be 32 years old, but he still has speed, physicality, and talent to be among the top receivers in the game. The last four years, the leading receiver on the Colts had a combined 3,605 yards. Jones has 3,842 yards over his last 40 games (his age-29 to -31 seasons).
Most draft capital is worth giving up for someone who’s probably going to give you an automatic 1,000-yard season for the next three years assuming he’s healthy.