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
Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
384 comments Add your comment
myrak43
April 29th, 2011
3:15 am
we still have six more picks. I think it was a good move(bold move), but a good one. all we have to do is target a pass rusher with the 3rd round pick either a DE or DT that can push the center in the backfield. and get O line with the rest of the picks
Links: Falcons pay huge price, trade to take Julio Jones at No. 6 | al.com
April 29th, 2011
3:46 am
[...] Falcons make major trade in NFL draft (Atlanta Journal [...]
Joey the Bull
April 29th, 2011
4:28 am
Some of the comments here are just idiotic. If you don’t know what you are talking about, don’t make up BS. Unlike AJ, Julio has true real work ethic. He is a good person, does not get in trouble and is an “angry” WR. (I am a huge Alabama fan and I was excited when he selected Alabama). I have been screaming for Julio and hoping that my Falcons would trade-up to get him. Yes I am biased, but I have watched this kid since he came to Alabama. Someone said he can’t run routes; someone else said he can’t catch. I am sure someone said he can’t block. Well trust me he does it all and does it better than anyone else-he was voted all SEC his 3 years, he does not complain, he works hard, say’s yes sir to his coaches and is going to be the first one to practice and the last one to leave the film room. You guys have no idea how freakishly good this kid is and unless you watched him play-you can’t have an opinion of him. And if you have a bad opinion, then you have not seen him play. He is a Falcon, we should be very thankful as fans that the Falcons have decided that they want to improve their offense with an impact player. Oh and for those of you shouting “DE” remember, there are plenty of picks left and there are plenty of Falcons who have been picked in the past; the average age of the team is 26. This was a fantastic draft; quite frankly one that the Browns could not afford-with next years #1 pick at 32…The Falcons get the better end of that trade. Well done guys, proud of my Falcons doing what it takes to really improve the team with immediate impact, speed and attitude. Keep it up TD and team. It is moves like this that make me proud to be a life long Falcon fan.
slim
April 29th, 2011
4:40 am
If they play the bus commercial one more dayum time
Wingman
April 29th, 2011
5:57 am
Some of you guys are looking at the ground breaking ceremony and deciding that you don’t like the way the building looks. You don’t know what moves TD has up his sleeve and what draft picks he is going to get for future planed trades. I asure you his chess moves are three moves past where you think they are.
atltiger15
April 29th, 2011
6:17 am
If the Falcons have a season like last yr, they would be picking in the very late 20’s again if not 30’s. Big deal about next yr’s !st and 4th rounders..We’ll get some DL and OL help from last yrs picks and FA and draftees from this yr. Just a reminder, Dahl and Clabo were practice squad guys just a few yrs ago.
yeah
April 29th, 2011
6:51 am
Quit bitching. Clearly there was no player at 27 worth taking.
Brown Dog
April 29th, 2011
7:09 am
Julio Jones is the finest all-around football player at the University of Alabama since Ozzie Newsom. Many of you don’t like Saban, but you respect him. Saban says he’s never been around a player with so much ability who worked so hard.
John
April 29th, 2011
7:23 am
Great Move!!! The Falcons were not going to get an impact DE at 27. They took a chance, but I believe Julio will make the Falcons and fans more than happy. I think Dmitroff saw that the past two teams that have won Super Bowls, Packers and Saints, have done it with a stable of great WRs and great QB play. Players like Julio don’t come around every season. Now the Falcons could have the best WR tandem in the league in the next couple of seasons. Plus, people still seem to think that Roddy White is really young. I think he is 30 now. He is in the prime of his career, but it will not hurt having Julio to take some pressure off and become the man once Roddy slows a bit.
old man
April 29th, 2011
7:23 am
I suspect a major motivation here is that there was no strong feeling of good value at 27. Just as surely, they have eyes on some people they feel will be good value in rounds 3-7–there will be a diamond in the rough somewhere in those picks. The LB or DE they need to pressure QBs will come from somewhere, free agency I guess. And Julio Jones is a great add for us. The only issue I do not see being discussed is the speed RB we need.
John
April 29th, 2011
7:31 am
As many have stated on here, the Falcons are long enough into the process to not need to stockpile 6-7 rookies in the draft that the HAVE to rely on. AJ will be good inthe NFL but Julio will be better.
Samuel
April 29th, 2011
7:35 am
Harold,They had a pass rush they just didn’t rap up Rodgers. I think if they get an explosive pass rusher who can compliment Abe and a speed back who can compliment Turner and snelling they should be alright.
suwaneefalcon
April 29th, 2011
7:45 am
For those of you questioning TD and this move, I will bet my house against yours that he knows more about building a football team then you do. I have a suggestion, sit back, shut up and come next January see who is right, you or our GM. Like I said, my house against yours that it is TD.
Great move and now opposing defense’s have to play RW one on one. Not good for them.
bob leblah
April 29th, 2011
7:49 am
suwanee i am not betting my house against yours. yours is a shanty made up of clay and hay. but it probably has a satellite dish on it.
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 29th, 2011
7:51 am
Great post – JoeytheBull. All that information just reinforces what we know about Julio. Last year, not having a better than average #2 receiver to go with Roddy was a huge problem. This year (assuming we have a year) should be different.
Harley
April 29th, 2011
7:53 am
ATL gave up alot but will reap the rewards with the most physical receivivers in the NFL with White and Jones. This will make Matty Ice an even better QB. The other team can’t score if they can’t get on the field. Jones is also a very good down field blocker and will help the run game. Too many pluses to mention here.
PlanB
April 29th, 2011
7:53 am
Everyone has different emotions on this deal. I’m still wondering myself. He’s a good blocker that drops some balls. We gave away a lot of picks but I think when you have a good team it’s sometime better to add a really great one than a few good ones. I hope he is great however if this position is that important, we could have had DeSean Jackson last year and been looking for a pass rusher this year. I still think FA is the place to find our pass rusher. Again that could have been Peppers.
Don’t let Grimes get away!!!! Good corners are too hard to find.
BAMA CHIK
April 29th, 2011
7:56 am
JULIO!!!! so glad the Falcons picked him up, he’s a beast!!! ROLL TIDE and GO FALCONS!!!
suwaneefalcon
April 29th, 2011
7:56 am
bob leblah
April 29th, 2011
7:49 am
suwanee i am not betting my house against yours. yours is a shanty made up of clay and hay. but it probably has a satellite dish on it.
Let’s pretend you are right slapnut. I will bet my clay house against your cardboard box. It will be an upgrade for your punka**.
old man
April 29th, 2011
8:05 am
The number and round of picks seems a bit much. But I don’t have much quarrel with it. You get what you pay for.
honest_abe
April 29th, 2011
8:11 am
as for you morons who keep asking whether or not the critics know more than td, shut it. just because you own a falcons jersey doesn’t make you a fan. most of you jumped on the bandwagon several years ago after the falcons drafted ryan. just because you dont’ watch college football or follow pre draft workouts or anything else of that nature don’t think less of fans that do. we just care more than you birdbrains. in dimitroff we trust. stupid dummies.
Justin
April 29th, 2011
8:23 am
It is a lot to give up in trade, but P. Jerry is healthy this year which should give our D line the big push it needs up the middle. That will make the whole D better. So I say BRING ON JULIO!!!!!! WELCOME TO ATL SON!
Maurice
April 29th, 2011
8:23 am
Enter your comments here
Maurice
April 29th, 2011
8:27 am
Roddy needs help. They got it. Our defense was solid. Offense didn’t make enough plays or have that gut check 8 min drive to keep their defense on the field. This will make us better.
Mike is back
April 29th, 2011
8:34 am
What’s up DLed,
Just came over to say…I like the move by TD…you said the organization was looking at how Matt…reacted when he had first class receivers…now we do…NOW we have two physical receivers that will go get that ball.
You said it WAS possible…I suspect TD is not finish making moves…for the upcoming season…WOW I’M EXCITED!!!
GO BIRDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mike the tiger
April 29th, 2011
8:40 am
Ricky Williams Part II
01HAWK
April 29th, 2011
8:41 am
UAB on one side (Roddy White) and BAMA (Julio Jones) on the other side.
Go BLAZERS and ROLL TIDE !!!!!!!!!!
I'm Gumby, Dammit!!
April 29th, 2011
8:47 am
It amazes me how all these Mutts think that the trade would have made sense, if it had been A.J. instead of JJ. Stick with college football, and leave the pros to the pros. Great move, TD.
jerry
April 29th, 2011
8:56 am
What Cold Hard Facts had to say:
Atlanta traded up with Cleveland for the No. 6 pick. They had two obvious needs: a playmaker in the passing game and a playmaker on the defensive line. They opted for the former with Jones, who was an open-field gamebreaker in Alabama’s run-first offense. Again, picking WRs high in the draft is almost always a bad decision. There’s a high fate of failure at a position that really has minimal impact on the success of a team, despite the NFL’s obsession with the position. But the Falcons felt the need to give QB Matt Ryan some help: despite his big-time rep, Atlanta ranked just 19th last year in average per pass attempt.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/draft-2011/tracker/draft_analysis/1.html#ixzz1KuryySGy
Hawkster
April 29th, 2011
8:58 am
These blogs are funny. The Dawgs and War Eagle fans are calling this a bad pick. Truth is that none of us know. It’s pure speculation. AJ Green could turn out to be a bust. Anyone thinking the Falcons should have traded up to get him don’t realize that Cincy wasn’t going to give that pick away unless the Falcons were willing to trade even more. Let’s give Julio a chance. He should add some depth for Matt Ryan.
Jimmy Jam
April 29th, 2011
9:01 am
Finally another playmaka!!! Good job Dimitroff and don’t let anyone guilt you into worrying about what you gave up. I would usually go DL but you addressed that the past couple years with Jerry and LB with Spoon. This dude can flat out play and play now!
Denver Falcon
April 29th, 2011
9:04 am
I’m curious if tonight we’ll hear “the browns have traded their 2nd round pick to the atlanta falcons” for a player, maybe Mike Jenkins, since the league year technically starts today and players can be traded. If that’s the case, I wouldn’t be too disappointed in what we give up, although I’m psyched to get JJ as a deep threat.
Dan
April 29th, 2011
9:15 am
Like the Julio move!!! With losing the draft picks this year and next doesn’t this now make that floating money out there not being spent? What I mean is, can’t that money be used now on signing our own free agents and signing Ray Edwards, Mathias Kiwanuka or Charles Johnson? Interesting tweet reported last night at the end of the draft after the Saints drafted Mark Ingram? Bush tweeted ” Its been fun New Orleans”. How would Bush look in a Falcons uniform? Would you define Bush as explosive? We grabbed Dunn a few years back from Tampa Bay why not Bush from the Saints?
ronham
April 29th, 2011
9:33 am
the falcons could add speed at this position by making WHITE and JONES get a hair cut that goes foe db # 23 to.
Jimmy Jam
April 29th, 2011
9:36 am
Don’t sweat this too much, Atlanta got them a bonafide playmaka point blank period. And for those thinking they should have gone defense, look at the past 5 picks at number 1. Jamaal Anderson, Ryan, Baker, Peria and Spoon. Three of the five are defensive picks, so throw that out of the window
I love the pick!.
#10Fan4Life
April 29th, 2011
9:38 am
I am with 01HAWK! Roll Tide and Go Blazers. Good choice ATL. Let’s just pray that he stays healthy! Even injured he played a mighty fine game. My thanks goes out to the Good Lord for keeping my daughters in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Huntsville and Nashville safe! Oh Yea way to go SEC, nice representation in the first round!
dp
April 29th, 2011
9:39 am
DUMB……………..almost as bad as Saints going after Ricky…..Yikes we are screwed!
Omnipotent One
April 29th, 2011
9:40 am
Wow! Nice move for the Falcons….getting the #1 receiver in the draft! TD knew to avoid AJ….and luckily AJ is being sent to CIN (where receivers go to DIE).
bascogcjs
April 29th, 2011
9:42 am
This is just as bad as the herschel Walker trade and the Brett Favre trade.
Pathetic!
Sid
April 29th, 2011
9:42 am
1) The offense just got better
2) Falcons don’t pick again until #91 (3rd round)
3) Then they don’t pick again until #158 (5th round)
4) @ 192 in the 6th round
5) @ 210, 229, and 230 in the 7th round
6) ………and a couple of picks next year, including the 32nd in the first round……!!
Remember the Great Train Robbry? October 12th, 1989
Minnesota Vikings received
RB Herschel Walker
Dallas’s 3rd round pick – 1990 (54) (Mike Jones)
San Diego’s 5th round pick – 1990 (116) (Reggie Thornton)
Dallas’s 10th round pick – 1990 (249) (Pat Newman)
Dallas’s 3rd round pick – 1991 (68) (Jake Reed)
Dallas Cowboys received
LB Jesse Solomon
LB David Howard
CB Issiac Holt
RB Darrin Nelson (traded to San Diego after he refused to report to Dallas)
DE Alex Stewart
Minnesota’s 1st round pick in 1990 (21) (traded this pick along with pick (81) for pick (17) from Pittsburgh to draft Emmitt Smith)
Minnesota’s 2nd round pick in 1990 (47) (Alexander Wright)
Minnesota’s 6th round pick in 1990 (158) (traded to New Orleans, who drafted James Williams)
Minnesota’s 1st round pick in 1991 (conditional) – (12) (Alvin Harper)
Minnesota’s 2nd round pick in 1991 (conditional) – (38) (Dixon Edwards)
Minnesota’s 2nd round pick in 1992 (conditional) – (37) (Darren Woodson)
Minnesota’s 3rd round pick in 1992 (conditional) – (71) (traded to New England, who drafted Kevin Turner)
Minnesota’s 1st round pick in 1993 (conditional) – (13) (traded to Philadelphia Eagles, and then to the Houston Oilers, who drafted Brad Hopkins)
I feel much better now.
Jesse Stone
April 29th, 2011
9:44 am
A lot of bitter UGA fans here hating on Julio. I like the bold move.
bascogcjs
April 29th, 2011
9:45 am
Add to the fact that Julio is injury prone.
He won’t even have as good a career as Roddy.
Mark my words, Julio will miss games every year due to injury.
And the Browns will get 4-5 very solid players.
Brownies have to LOVE this trade.
ironvalhalla
April 29th, 2011
9:47 am
Julio is a great blocker! Definitly help Turner in the run game. Bama never had a great qb to get the ball out to Julio. He is a game changer. Look for ATL to be explosive with this kid.
Jesse Stone
April 29th, 2011
9:49 am
Bengals Draft picks from UGA- Odell and Pollack.
LP the Brain
April 29th, 2011
9:49 am
Graet Pick getting J.J.
1. We gave up one first round pick next year (the other was a swap) for everyone yelling we gave up two
2. If we get Nnamdi Asomugha and put grimes on the nickel we will have the best secondery in the league. We freed up money with less high draft picks and we showed Nnamdi we want to be winners which is what he wants.
3. We are deep at every position on D (except linebacker) and the sacks will come with better coverage and our line is more experienced.
Crimson Tide Zone | Falcons pay huge price, trade to take Julio Jones at No. 6
April 29th, 2011
9:53 am
[...] Falcons make major trade in NFL draft (Atlanta Journal Constitution) [...]
PlanB
April 29th, 2011
9:55 am
I was thinking the same thing as Dan. Why not go after Bush. We need someone like him in Jerious Norwoods place.
LP the Brain
April 29th, 2011
9:57 am
Injury Prone?!!
I am a GA Boy for life, and I love A.J. but, didn’t he also get huet quite a bit in his career at GA
Let’s Stop The Hatred!!!
D man
April 29th, 2011
10:00 am
Julio is a beast. I have been watching him at Bama for the past few years and he is impressive. Now that the salary cap may be gone, let’s get the Oakland shut down CB and a DE and lock in the O line.
GT Crow
April 29th, 2011
10:05 am
While this will produce some dividens, I’m a little disapointed. I think TD and MS got a little case of tunnel vision and took a HUGE risk that didn’t necessarily have to be taken. In my opinion we should have boned up the defense. Our O was good enough last year to go deep into the playoffs if not for our D giving up too many points. Take all our picks to get that D up to a respectable level and then next year get your receiver out of Calvin Johnson. They guy is still a beast and he’s from ATL. His family is here, he went to GT, loves the city and being close to his family. And he already has 2 condos here. He would have jumped at the chance to be on the ATL Falcons with Matt Ryan and Roddy White… perfect tandum. But it will never be… and I think we’ll be okay with JJ – but we would have been better with CJ