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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones has requested a trade and the team has respected that request by listening to offers according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Atlanta would prefer not to trade within the NFC and have asked for a first-round pick in return, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. But in the end, Schefter says a first doesn’t look likely and they would trade within the conference for the right price.
DraftKings Sportsbook dropped the Falcons odds to still employ Jones in Week 1 from -150 to +500 (available in Michigan, Colorado, and Illinois) since news of his trade request broke. That puts them even with the Chargers and Patriots as favorites to land Jones. At this point, it is difficult to find a true favorite. Jones does want to go to a winning team, as he said to Shannon Sharpe on Undisputed, but he also doesn’t have a no-trade clause. I’m sure the Falcons will take into account his wishes, but they’ll also want to get the best deal possible. The good news is that teams who really want Jones are probably going to be teams wanting to win now and feel they can do just that.
Kansas City Chiefs +3300
The dream scenario for Jones should be the Chiefs. The team needs another target for Patrick Mahomes and Jones would get to receive passes for a team that has made it to the Super Bowl the last two seasons and has arguably the best quarterback in the league. But they are longshots to land Jones. The Chiefs main problem is finding the money. They would likely need to restructure contracts to bring Jones into the fold and they rightfully believe they can win with the receiving crew they have now. The odds favor teams that have salary cap room.
Indianapolis Colts +600
The Colts are one of the favorites because they have a strong overall roster that can compete with anyone at quarterback and they have the fifth-most cap space. Does that mean they are in the market for Jones? It’s hard to say, but they do like their young receivers in Michael Pittman and Parris Campbell while they retained T.Y. Hilton for another season.
San Francisco 49ers +800
The 49ers have the 11th-best salary cap situation and a quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo who has a big contract they could possibly dump. They also have Kyle Shanahan, who Jones thrived under in Atlanta. And they have a team ready to win, as they are one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl in 2021, even with a rookie quarterback likely seeing snaps this season.
New England Patriots +500
The Patriots went all out to upgrade their offense this offseason, but even after spending a lot of money on receivers and tight ends, they still rank ninth in salary cap available and Jones would be a huge upgrade. Yes, they’d likely need to change their plans on who starts and someone would probably be sitting who makes too much to be sitting, but it’s Julio freaking Jones! The quarterback situation remains iffy in New England, but Jones is a fan of Cam Newton and wants to play with him according to NBC Sports’ Michael Holley.
Baltimore Ravens -600
The Ravens are and feel like they should be one of the true favorites, to land Jones, as they are one of the best teams in the league who are also in need of an upgrade at wide receiver. Would Jones want to go to a team that much rather run the ball than throw it? Probably not, but he also would be in a good spot to get himself a ring.
Tennessee Titans -700
The Titans lost Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith to free agency and really only have A.J. Brown to count on at receiver. Ryan Tannehill has proven he can help get the team into the playoffs and adding Jones across from Brown while Derrick Henry keeps the defense close to the line would be a huge boon to their offense. Unfortunately for the Titans, they are strapped for cash and would need to do some maneuvering. We know Brown, who idolizes Jones, wouldn’t mind.
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