Detroit Lions: Trading for star receiver Julio Jones very unrealistic

It is certainly fun to think about how Julio Jones would fit with the rebuilding Detroit Lions, but the thought of adding the star pass-catcher is only a dream.

Recently in a very odd fashion, the stellar receiver told Hall Of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe that he’s ‘out of there’ live on Sharpe’s sports talk show Undisputed which airs mid-days on Fox Sports 1.

Sharpe phoned Jones while on the air and asked the sure-bet future Hall Of Fame-bound receiver his thoughts on the Atlanta Falcons and his future.  It was later said that Jones was unaware the phone call was being aired live.  Jones also mentioned that he isn’t going to Dallas and hasn’t thought about joining the Cowboys.

This comes on the heels of NFL Networks Ian Rapoport‘s initial breaking news report leading up to the start of the NFL Draft that Jones had requested a trade out of Atlanta.

Julio Jones would certainly be a game-changer for the Detroit Lions but adding the two-time All-Pro, and seven-time Pro Bowler is nothing but a pipe dream.

Sure Jones wouldn’t only be an upgrade to the recently departed Kenny Golladay, but it’s implausible Jones is willing to join a rebuilding franchise at this juncture of his career.  It would be a wonderful welcome gift to provide newly added quarterback Jared Goff but very unrealistic.

Jones, at 32-years old, will be looking to land somewhere he will have an opportunity to play for a playoff-bound club.  The 10-year vet is under contract until the conclusion of the 2023 season.  I’m not even convinced the Atlanta Falcons will be willing to move their often injured yet star pass-catcher as he carries a whopping $40.5 million dead cap number for the 2021 season.

The Falcons used the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on Kyle Pitts, a very talented hybrid tight end that will be utilized split out wide rather than lined up at the end of the line of scrimmage.  Pitts joining Calvin Ridley and Jones provides the Falcons with nearly an uncoverable trio of offensive weapons for veteran quarterback Matt Ryan. That is if they can mend fences with Jones.

Jones has amassed 12,896 receiving yards on 848 catches while totaling 60 touchdown receptions over his 10-year career.

The best fit for Jones, in my eyes, would be a reunion with Kyle Shanahan, his former offensive coordinator who is now the head coach of the Super Bowl contending San Francisco 49ers.

The Detroit Lions are expected to feature rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown along with veterans Tyrell Williams, Breshad Perriman, plus second-year receiver Quintez Cephus to start the 2021 season under the new regime.