Atlanta Falcons: Julio Jones going over 2,000 yards?
By Randy Gurzi
NFL Spin Zone’s Dan Parzych featured Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones as one of his 20 receivers that could top 2,000 yards in 2017
In a recent piece on NFL Spin Zone, Dan Parzych revealed his top 20 receivers that could go over the 2,000 yard mark in 2017. His list was surely impressive as players like Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys, Odell Beckham, Jr. of the New York Giants and Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers all came in ranked high. The top spot though belonged to the Atlanta Falcons own Julio Jones.
Parzych draws attention to Jones’ fantastic 2015 season as well as a 300 yard game just last year as evidence of the top-flight receiver’s ability to take over games and rack up yards.
"“Jones found himself on the verge of making history during the 2015 season after finishing the year with 136 catches for 1,871 receiving yards. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, Jones was a key factor in the Falcons representing the NFC in the Super Bowl last season, including a phenomenal performance in the NFC Championship against the Green Bay Packers in which he caught nine passes for 180 yards with two scores.” — Parzych"
No receiver in NFL history has ever crossed that plateau, with the number one single season belonging to the recently retired Calvin Johnson — formerly of the Detroit Lions. Johnson had a remarkable 1,964 yards in 2012. The second best season ever is the 2015 campaign by Jones.
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With the Falcons now possessing some great running backs in Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, it seems less likely that they will throw the ball enough for Jones to amass the NFL record. One thing that is for sure though, if for any reason they have to start abandoning the run and throwing more often, Julio Jones is beyond capable of setting a new NFL record with receiving yards.