I hate stuff like this. Y’all know my ass doesn’t have any sources within the Tennessee Titans organization, much less any sources with the Atlanta Falcons. I don’t know what else I can add to this conversation that hasn’t already been said ad nauseam on Titans Twitter. But, I have this warped sense of obligation to make sure that any Titans fan that comes to SoBros Network is at least up to date on things happening around the team, and what the conversation is like on social media. Frankly, the “Julio Jones to the Titans” stuff is a bit much to me – it just reminds me of the summer we were convinced that Peyton Manning was going to join the Titans (thanks, Clay Travis). It feels like we, as Titans fans, have to get worked up over some hot stove type story every summer, or else we aren’t really Titans fans. I just want it to happen, or I want it not to happen. Shit or get off the pot. I don’t like these long speculative conversations being drawn out, but I’m going to end up contributing to it anyway, FML. So, here – I’ll just provide my opinion on the matter so that we have something on the site about Jones potentially joining the Titans. #Journalism.
Point #1: I don’t think the Titans receiving corps is going to cut the mustard as it is. Say what you will about Josh Reynolds – the dude is a hell of a WR3 to have in this group. He’s not going to do what Corey Davis did a season ago, and yes, I do think you need what Corey Davis did a season ago for this offense to maintain a high level of play. Don’t get me wrong – I think if the offense falls back to the mean a little bit, it’ll be just fine as long as the efforts to improve the defense are fruitful. In other words, I’ll take a #10 offense and a number #15 defense over a #5 offense and #29 defense any day of the week. Nonetheless, there’s way too much pressure on rookie Dez Fitzpatrick to live up to a WR2 billing. So, the door is certainly open for the Titans to acquire a true WR2. I’ll acknowledge that possibility.
Point #2: It was made abundantly clear yesterday that Julio Jones wants out of Atlanta. But, is he what he used to be? Injuries kept him out of seven games a season ago, and he produced just 771 yards and three touchdowns on 51 catches. His 85.7 yards per game mark was the lowest he’s had since 2012. We have to accept that possibility that maybe Father Time, who remains undefeated, could finally be catching up to the star wide receiver. Getting Jones now might not necessarily be the same as getting Jones five years ago, and I feel like more of you need to commit that to memory.
Point #3: Point #2 considered, Jones, even at this “advanced” stage of his career, could still be deadly as a WR2 opposite AJ Brown. A move for Jones, to me, should be all about replacing that production that Davis gave you in 2020 with a higher ceiling and a much better receiver. In other words, don’t try and make him the primary target in this offense from a philosophical standpoint – get what Davis did a season ago and then some. Davis played in 14 games in 2020 and tallied 65 catches for 945 yards and five touchdowns. Project Jones’ 2020 averages over the course of 14 games, and you get 79 catches for 1,199 yards and five touchdowns, a decent upgrade in production.
Point #4: It won’t be easy to get him. Make no mistake about it – should the Titans make the trade for Jones, it’ll be a clear indicator that this regime is in “win now” mode, thinking about not wasting the prime of Derrick Henry‘s career and Ryan Tannehill‘s resurgence. Paul Kuharsky wrote a piece a couple of months ago (subscribers only), explaining ways the Titans could free up some cap space. It’s going to take a little bit of finagling to get the money to pay for Jones’ $15.3M due in 2021. And, besides cap considerations, any team that trades for Jones is going to have to give up some draft capital.
All in all, I think the likelihood of it actually happening is pretty low. I just don’t know that Jon Robinson will be willing to part with the resources it’ll take to get Jones. He’s very much been a set-a-price-and-don’t-go-over-it type of GM. We’ll see if the thought of being a Julio Jones type away from a legitimate championship contender is too enticing for him to pass up on next week.
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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