Julio Jones must prove his worth to the team

It’s hard to imagine a receiver that will be in the Hall of Fame one day is also in a prove-it year. But that’s where the Atlanta Falcons’ Julio Jones finds himself.

Let’s start with the facts. Julio Jones has been one of the unquestioned top three receivers in the game since his sophomore season with the Atlanta Falcons.

By this point, we all know about the trade but the Falcons did not miss when picking him to take the reins from Roddy White. Jones has also given Atlanta fans a treasure of memories to pull from when searching for that euphoric feeling.

Jones is also regarded as a non-diva, a style that leads to the downfall of so many great receivers. Other than a mini tantrum he threw to get his contract extension (deleting all Falcons images off his social media and skipping workouts), you can’t say anything bad about this man.

Julio makes the routine look effortless (with some huge drops here and there like against the Carolina Panthers and against the Dallas Cowboys) but then he has catches like he did in the Super Bowl.

But at age 32, missing almost half the 2020 season and with a $23 million cap hit, Julio Jones now has something to prove.

His impact in the locker room and helping guide Calvin Ridley has been immeasurable. He, in a lot of ways, has done what White did for him. The Atlanta Falcons are still in cap hell though. It’s hard to justify keeping Jones around when he can’t seem to stay on the field.

Fair or not, Jones hasn’t been an all-pro since 2016.

He’s hit double-digit touchdowns just once in his career. And last year was the first time he caught more than 70 percent of the passes thrown his way (though he came very close in 2013). Meanwhile, elite receivers seem to be coming out of the college ranks in droves. Look at Justin Jefferson and this year’s draft class of Ja’Marr Chase and Devonta Smith.

The Falcons also have Calvin Ridley, who still isn’t a number one but is a heck of a second option.

Julio has been a stud and that guy for the Falcons for years. He’s very clearly and reasonably Matt Ryan’s go-to but the organization has to think of its future. The connection between number 2 and number 11 may ever win a ring, and that’s just life.

If Julio Jones wants to be a Falcon for life, he’s got a lot to play for this season. It’s time for him to show his worth.