Falcons make trade for Alabama WR Julio Jones
Alabama's Julio Jones (8) makes a catch for a touchdown as Georgia's Bryan Evans defends during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Athens, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff pulled off a major shocker, trading up into the first round to select wide receiver Julio Jones.
The Falcons reportedly sent their first, second and fourth round picks along with next seasons’ first round pick to move up 21 spots.
Here is Jones’ bio:
Julio Jones, Alabama, 6-3, 221: He is from Foley, Ala. He set school records with 194 catches, 3,287 yards and 43 touchdowns at Foley High. He was rated the No. 1 receiver in the nation by rivals.com and scout.com. He signed with Alabama over Florida State, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas Tech. As a freshman, he led the Crimson Tide with 58 catches. He also had 924 yards receiving and four touchdowns. In his sophomore season, Jones battled through a string of juniors. He rebounded to help the Crimson Tide win the BCS national championship as he caught 43 passes for 596 yards and four touchdowns. Last season, he caught 78 passes for 1,133 yards and seven touchdowns. He was noted for his downfield blocking in the run game. Also, he did have some problems with the occasional dropped pass. Despite having a broken bone in his foot, he turned in a phenomenal workout at the scouting combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds, had a broad jump of 11 feet, 3 inches and a vertical jump of 38 1/2 inches.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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384 comments Add your comment
Native of the ATL
April 28th, 2011
9:10 pm
What the ???? I cannot believe this… I hope that Blank did not push for this move… STUPID!!
Ben Hill Skeet
April 28th, 2011
9:10 pm
Yall Didnt Know who Jerry Rice was coming out of college!!!
Please Hush!! Yall sound really crazy!!
Dimitroff is the best GM we have EVER had!!
Jacket backer
April 28th, 2011
9:10 pm
Man, this was entirely way too much to give up with our needs glaring on defense still. Jones does drop many easy passes but is a very good blocker with great speed. I think he has alot of talent and upside but this price tag just wasn’t worth it. There is no doubt teams will have to pay attention to jones but it won’t matter if he doesn’t show good hands. He makes great catches at times then drops the 5 yard outs wide open. I would have given this up only for 1 WR and that was aj green. I’m disappointed in what TD did here to say the least. Stupid decision. I hope we make a splash in free agency is all i have to say.
Quint, from Alanta
April 28th, 2011
9:11 pm
Why do you guys keep saying that that we gave up a First Round pick this year. No, they traded the pick. That is one-for-one. Now, the First in 2012 plus the others may be too much, but they didn’t give two First-Rounders.
chuck
April 28th, 2011
9:11 pm
This was a horrible decision. IF Jones had started dropping into the teens and we could have given up just the 1, 2 and 4; then I would have liked the move. But to mortgage the future is way too much to pay.
powerglide
April 28th, 2011
9:12 pm
wow no wonder people think souther people are dumb, people in blogs like this make it hard to argue that point. this was a great trade we will get the draft picks back through trade and every evaluater thinks he was a top wr,some thought he was better than aj, and now you bandwagon fans that jsut watched the last 3 games of the year last year want to have an opinion, go band wagon hop to the cowgirls
Joyaman
April 28th, 2011
9:12 pm
A high price to pay? Look at it this way. First of all this year’s #1 (Jones) is way better than what they would have gotten at #27, so that’s far from losing a 1st round pick- take that one off the table as it’s more than a wash in the Falcons direction. The 2011 2nd and 4th round picks are fairly far down the board @ #59 and #124, as will be next year’s #4 – assuming Ryan, White, Jones, etc..continue the Falcons winning, playoff ways. The net loss of losing two picks this year is offset by the two additional 7th rounders that the birds have via earlier trades with New England and San Francisco. So we’re down to losing the twenty something pick in 2012 and the 2nd rounder this year as the only spots where the Falcons might miss out on an impact player, none of which will have near the impact of Jones.
Good job Thomas! Now just work your usual magic with the 3rd, 5th, 6th and three 7th rounders still in your arsenal and tonight’s whining will be long forgotten.
whm
April 28th, 2011
9:12 pm
What the he## would we get? You never know what you are going to really get in the draft. I believe Joe Montana was a third round pick. Ryan Leaf was #2 overall, Aundray Bruce #1 overall, and the list goes on. I just think they gave up too much. As others have said, now we only lose by fewer points when the defense gets torched. I do not like putting all my chips on one square. Spread the chips, and you have a better shot at hitting a winner.
Greg Mendel
April 28th, 2011
9:13 pm
Fustest with mostest. Good move. Falcons drafting to their strength, not their weaknesses. With Matt “damn sure can throw a long pass” Ryan able to throw to Roddy and Julio, defensive weaknesses are indirectly addressed to a significant degree. And the draft ain’t over.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
April 28th, 2011
9:14 pm
Mel Kiper’s take on Julio Jones:
Jones’ size and speed combination is the best in the draft at the position and his development as a wideout over the past year shows a determination and work ethic that will be loved by the coaching staff. A gifted athlete, what you love about Jones is that he blocks as hard as he runs routes.
powerglide
April 28th, 2011
9:14 pm
i cant beleive people are still talking about defense, why are all these people who watched like 3 games last year on here because if they watched more than 3 games they would have realized that our d is pretty good. we had like the 7th best scoring defense so what are you guys talking about defense needs
Columbus
April 28th, 2011
9:15 pm
This is one way to fight fire with fire….Dimitroff knows more that all you clowns combined. Now the Falcons will have an unstoppable offense just like Green Bay. You can go 2 ways in battle, try to stop their offense by improving your defense and/or improve your own offensive assault and now there is NO defense that can stop the Atlanta offense. It can only stop itself. It is basically a mirror of the Green Bay offense of 2010 but with better weapons….It is going to be a fun high scoring next few years if the running backs hold up! Good job! To the morons who cant see the forest through the trees or think outside the box…you will eat crow in 5 months!
Quint, from Alanta
April 28th, 2011
9:15 pm
@Joyaman…good post
Edward
April 28th, 2011
9:16 pm
The Falcons gave up to darn much for Julio Jones!!
Football Fan
April 28th, 2011
9:18 pm
Glad to hear Jones fought through a string of “juniors”
McNasty
April 28th, 2011
9:18 pm
jones is a PRO BOWLER in at least 2 years, What more do you want. we will do okay with a pass rusher in th later rounds
powerglide
April 28th, 2011
9:18 pm
edward you can also stop posting on this blog columbus and joyaman I completely agree with you guys, finally some sense in this blog, and we will get half those picks back through trades
bigdave
April 28th, 2011
9:19 pm
but TrishaDishaWarEagle..
Cam is from what you like to call the “ghetto”.. u actually support/cheer for him?
Zoli
April 28th, 2011
9:19 pm
Yes we gave up a lot of picks. We lacked explosion when Roddy was double teamed. Finneran was our weakness in the playoffs. I trust TD….finally making us a consistent winner. WOO HOO Falcons are going to be reconed with now! Any needs an be addressed in free agency.
oldbird
April 28th, 2011
9:20 pm
Dimitroff once again blows the first round pick. Way too much to give up and now we get to address our defensive woes in the third round. At least he won’t screw up next year’s first rounder since he threw it away. I’ll give the man credit for finding late round talent, but please leave him out of the draft room on day one.
YourPoliticalAnimal
April 28th, 2011
9:20 pm
Dimitroff and the rest of the brain trust probably also fell in love with his downfield blocking abilities . . . this will help Falcons’ running and passing games . . . I can see some four receiver sets . . . Jenkins, White, Jones, and the young man who came back from the ACL . . . can’t remember his name . . . West Coast all the way . . .
T from D
April 28th, 2011
9:20 pm
The only way this can be a good pick is if Arthur said get an explosive offensive guy in the draft and I’ll open the wallet and buy us a couple of explosive defensive guys. If we do that then I like the pick if not then we’ll never score enough to overtake the elite teams in the league and we made a huge mistake.
JONESBORO SLIM
April 28th, 2011
9:20 pm
You Georgia people hate anyone out of the SEC…Green doesn’t have the speed that Jones has nor the blocking ability…and Jones can hurt…so bi%$# some where else…”See you on the hill”
vafalconfan
April 28th, 2011
9:20 pm
For a run first team…the worst move of TDs career. Could end up costing him his job. Horrible pack!
DP
April 28th, 2011
9:21 pm
This move came out of the blue but I like it. Dimitroff already has a solid team, now he is trying to create an area of strength that other teams can’t match up with. How many teams have 2 corners who are fast and physical enough to match up with Roddy White and Julio Jones? Plus nobody will outwork Jones; he is exactly the kind of player Dimitroff and Smith want as a leader on the Falcons.
Loyal Falcon
April 28th, 2011
9:21 pm
I swear some of you so called fans have absolutely no clue! The falcons needed to make a move like this(Great job TD!) Think about it….we needed another explosive offensive threat. Julio can catch,run and block. Teams are gonna have to pay attention to this guy. Also, the falcons are a Winning Team…I repeat…a Winning Team. We really don’t need as many so called pieces as some of you think we do. Peria will be 100% this year and Corey peters is only going to get better this year. This in it self will help the pass rush. Not only that…the falcons go and grab either charles johnson or Ray Edwards in free agency(write it down!) So stop ya crying!!!
marcus
April 28th, 2011
9:22 pm
I hope Mike Ditka gave TD a left over cigar-insane! Now they will get no defensive help this year or next year.
Mike
April 28th, 2011
9:22 pm
and everybody has to remember as well, when FA starts, if any other teams signed our FA, then we will get a Draft Pick and some of the RFA has tenders on there(Grimes/1st Round Tender), so we will get those pick back.
For the trade, I swear that yall need to realize that we aint no last place team or a team rebuilding, We was the top seed in the NFC and second in wins with a offense that didnt push alot and defense was always breaking. Now we will have not only a another target in the offense, also Jones can grown with Ryan together as Young/Rice was in SF. and we still have we had 9 picks in the draft.
FA is coming as well and we need vets now on Defense not no rookies. This is will make Atlanta a very dangerous offense team and shot a bow at MM ship as well, if he doesnt do well, then he is gone.
powerglide
April 28th, 2011
9:22 pm
t from d you are ignorant and should be ashamed to call yourself a football fan. Im not explaing to dumb people anymore why this was a awsome pick
powerglide
April 28th, 2011
9:23 pm
LIKE 90% of the people on this blog are bandwagon falcons fans and didnt watch one game last year besides the bad playoff game, our d is actually pretty good and if you dont beleve me go to any sport webstie and look at the stats so stop saying we need help on d
Mike
April 28th, 2011
9:24 pm
i mean we have 6 picks left.
Cursed to be a Falcon Fan
April 28th, 2011
9:25 pm
Seems like a high price to pay for a receiver. Looked to me like defense was a bigger issue. The D looked sketchy last year.
Reality Check
April 28th, 2011
9:25 pm
5 high picks for one player?
So what happens if they don’t make the playoffs and have no high picks the next 2 seasons and Tony retires?
Somebody may be on the hot seat.
Just saying.
kenneth
April 28th, 2011
9:26 pm
you know all you people know so much about the falcon you don’t know nothing first where was you when they was just winning 3 or 4 games a year you wasn’t there so shout the F@@k up. when we got help and of you so good at this why your not the GM. think about that
bank walker
April 28th, 2011
9:26 pm
Turrible just turrible. He’s got the worst case of butterfingers I have ever seen. He couldn’t hold AJ’s jock. BIG MISTAKE!
Topjoe
April 28th, 2011
9:26 pm
Awesome pick-just what the Falcons needed. The best offense now in the NFL. 2 WR, 1 TE, QB and RB…Cam can’t beat us if he needs to score 30 pts dkl…Great night-Falcons get the best pick they could have taken in the first round. Way to go TD and team, you now have the best team in the NFC South and maybe the best team in the NFC. What made Drew so good down in NO? Multiple great targets.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
April 28th, 2011
9:26 pm
BigDave, he’s a multimillionaire now …that helps
atlfan
April 28th, 2011
9:26 pm
I think it was a good move, i would rather take a WR in the first round then DE (see jamal anderson) and I know they gave up alot but superbowl winning teams usually have 2 star recievers,..Iam a ga fan and I liked AJ green but I think he missed as many or more games as JJ…
Richie Rich
April 28th, 2011
9:26 pm
i like julio jones, but 5 pick’s are alot, we could have just stayed at 26 and drafted torrey smith.
powerglide
April 28th, 2011
9:27 pm
last year our defense was ranked #8 in sscoring # 9 in interceptions #5 in rushing #8 in sacks so that is top 10 in 4 of the most important defenseive stats, so why did we need to waste a first round draft pick on defense again? didnt think so
McNasty
April 28th, 2011
9:27 pm
bigdave you will make innorant comments without knowing ! Is this how people start birther rumors?
Roy
April 28th, 2011
9:28 pm
We deserve to lose, we have been had!
Native of the ATL
April 28th, 2011
9:29 pm
I think Tommy D. just bet his job on one player… Dumb move for him… Unless Blank was holding a gun to his head…
Duston
April 28th, 2011
9:29 pm
I don’t like the move. Defense wins championships and we need a defense bad. Getting lit up by GB in the playoffs proved it more then ever. Bad move Falcons, Bad move!
Rip
April 28th, 2011
9:29 pm
This was such a poor pick, we were almost there on defense, this is crazy, we need defense a big nose tackle, DE, a CB we have no pass rush known issue and we pick a WR and give up to much, look at the defensive players out on the board and we have no 2nd round pick, it will be so many defense players on the board at 2 round, I am sick
Phil
April 28th, 2011
9:30 pm
Gave up WAY THE HELL TOO MUCH. I wouldn’t have given up this much even for AJ. Man, we gave up a lot of picks. Picks we could have used to bolster the defense. Carries into nexts’ year 1st and 2nd round too. TERRIBLE TRADE. Julio is not worth this much.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
April 28th, 2011
9:30 pm
And yeah..I think a lot of this negativity is sour grapes we didn’t get the UGA guy who led his team to what..6-7? What a whiff going with the guy from a National Championship team. We still have a lot of people who think Matt Ryan was a bad pick, after 3 winning seasons and 2 playoff appearances…because he doesn’t run and get blown up by mid season like the last guy.
powerglide
April 28th, 2011
9:30 pm
roy omg go be a bandwagon fan somwhere else, awsome pick, there are like 5people here that have given good proof why it was a good pick, mb if you could read you could go to earlier post and see what they were
Mr. D
April 28th, 2011
9:30 pm
Great move in my opinion. The Birds can address other needs with their remaining picks and we still have free agency. Also some of the positions we needed filled may be done by players we already have. Those players just need to play to their full potential. We play the Saints and the Bucs twice a year so we needed to get an explosive player on offense to match their intensity. With Julio we just did! GO FALCONS!!!
athomp2563
April 28th, 2011
9:31 pm
Defense.Defense Defense. What the hell were they thinking? All those picks for the “predator.”