Julio Jones is expected to sign a revised contract soon that should make him the highest-paid receiver in the NFL.
Here are eight reasons why he deserves it.
1. He is underpaid
Since the last time Jones signed an extension, the market at wide receiver has been reset several times. Heading into the 2019 season, Jones ranks just 12th in average yearly salary at his position. Jones deserves a significant raise because there are not 11 better wide receivers than him.
For that matter, there are not 10, there are not nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two or one. When you’re the very best in the entire world at your job, you demand top dollar.
Odell Beckham’s new deal with the Browns pays him $18 million per year. Jones will get at least that much, possibly as much as $20 million per year — and he will be worth every penny.
2. Jones is still peaking
Antonio Brown can have his gaudy usage numbers. Beckham can have his Met Galas. DeAndre Hopkins can have his 99 overall Madden rating. Nuk is close, but we all know Jones is playing the position at another level and he doesn’t look close to slowing down.
Even though Jones has been in the league since 2011 and has played 119 games between the regular season and the playoffs, he’s still every bit as dynamic as he was when he first came into the NFL. Jones led the league in receiving yards last year and has led it in yards per route run four years in a row.
3. Julio is as clutch as they come
The excellence Jones displays on the field isn’t just any ordinary excellence, either. Much like some of the greatest competitors who have ever lived (Tom Brady and Michael Jordan come to mind), Jones saves his best work for the big stage.
Last year, Jones got the highest WR grade from PFF in the fourth quarter of one-score games, earning him the title of the most-clutch receiver in the NFL.
Julio pushes himself even higher in the playoffs. In eight career postseason games, Jones has averaged 7.6 catches, 104 receiving yards and .75 touchdowns with a 75.3 percent catch rate.
4. Among elite WRs, Jones is the best pure football player
Hopkins, Brown and OBJ all have their own special attributes. Hopkins is great at making contested catches, Brown is a brilliant route runner and Beckham’s athleticism is otherworldly. Julio is the best pure football player among them, though.
Last season, Jones broke up a pass that would have otherwise easily been picked off by Cowboys safety Jeff Heath. On a dime, Jones converted to safety and attacked Heath’s catch point in mid-air. The play he made on the ball could have made Earl Thomas proud and it’s the kind of play only Jones is going to make.
5. Jones plays his position better than anyone on offense
Not only does Jones play wide receiver better than any other wide receiver in the sport, one can argue Jones excels at his position better than any other offensive player.
Yes, that means Jones plays wide receiver better than Aaron Rodgers plays quarterback. He plays wide receiver better than Tyron Smith plays left tackle. He plays wide receiver better than Saquon Barkley plays running back.
If we open it up to defense, only defensive tackle Aaron Donald and outside linebacker Khalil Mack arguably play their own positions as well or better than Jones plays his.
6. Jones’ best football may still be ahead of him
In February, Jones turned 30 years old. That’s a significant number because it’s usually the age when most NFL players begin to decline – if they haven’t already started. That’s not the case for Jones, who looks like one of the rare exceptions to the rule.
It’s unlikely anyone is going to play as long as Jerry Rice, but Julio’s conditioning, size and athleticism should enable him to perform at a high level for at least another five years, barring a major injury. As of yet, Jones hasn’t eclipsed 2,000 yards or scored more than 10 touchdowns in a single season. Given the opportunity, Jones’ best work may still be yet to come.
7. Paying him sends the right message
In addition to being an awesome athlete, competitor and football player in general, Jones is also a remarkable teammate who represents the best of what the Falcons look for in their players. He’s never gotten into any remote level of trouble off the field, he never embarrasses the organization and he routinely sacrifices himself for the good of the team. Paying Jones sends the right message for future Falcons: Do things right and play well and you’ll be rewarded.
8. The Falcons will help themselves
Sometimes doing the right thing is also the financially prudent thing to do, as well. By extending Jones, the Falcons can backload his cap hits and create more space for the 2019 season.
That will be especially critical if they fail to reach an agreement with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett by Monday’s 4 p.m. ET franchise tag deadline. Jones’ current deal will cost the team a $13.466 million cap hit this year. By extending his contract, Atlanta can save $6.936 million this year, according to Over the Cap.
