Kyle Shanahan did not indicate a reunion with Julio Jones was off the table, and it now looks like the 49ers are involved in these sweepstakes.
The 49ers are the team coming up most regarding Jones around the league, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who indicated during a SportsCenter appearance San Francisco is in the mix for the seven-time Pro Bowler — to some degree. While the 49ers would not be able to match the reported offer of a first-round pick, they do have a strong roster equipped to contend in the NFC this season. A healthy Jones would certainly help the team do so.
[RELATED: Shanahan Discusses 49ers’ Potential Interest In Jones]
The Trey Lance trade stripped the 49ers of their 2022 and ’23 first-round picks, so building a competitive offer will be more challenging — if a first-round pick is indeed on the table for Jones. The Falcons are still holding out hope for a big offer, with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noting the team’s asking price is viewed as “outlandish” in league circles as of Saturday. Four days remain until a Jones trade can realistically take place, and a few teams remain in this somewhat blurry picture.
Tennessee emerged as the first rumored landing spot, and Fowler adds Baltimore could join the fray if the asking price is right. The Ravens have been connected to a host of big-name receivers this offseason, and while a few of them declined free agency offers, Jones’ attitude regarding their run-heavy offense would not matter in a trade for a player with a no-trade clause. The Rams, despite their crowded receiver room, also popped up in Fowler’s report. Los Angeles and Baltimore have done plenty to add at receiver this year; each franchise used its first draft pick to address the position and each signed a veteran (DeSean Jackson and Sammy Watkins, respectively). The Rams are often in the mix for high-profile trade targets, but they would not seem a fit. They have Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp signed to lucrative long-term deals.
Conversely, the 49ers’ top two receivers — Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk — are on rookie contracts. San Francisco has avoided splashy receiver signings since their 2017 Pierre Garcon deal did not work out, but Shanahan did sign off on sending third- and fourth-round picks for Emmanuel Sanders in 2019. That trade made a difference in the 49ers reaching Super Bowl LIV. Jones, 32, enjoyed his most productive season — a 136-catch, 1,871-yard 2015 showing — during Shanahan’s two-year Atlanta OC stay and would be in a better position than most late-summer arrivals due to his experience in the well-regarded play-caller’s offense.
The Falcons are still asking interested teams to pay all of Jones’ $15.3MM 2021 salary — a tough sell for most, given the limited cap space around the league — and $2MM in 2022 guaranteed pay, Florio adds. Jones is due base salaries of $11.5MM in 2022 and ’23. The 49ers hold more than $17MM in cap space, which ranks in the top 10. The Patriots have come up as Jones suitors as well, but they may be cooling on this prospect.
Miami should pay up. On paper, they’re set up for the playoffs and would still have plenty of picks next year.
No need with Fuller Parker and Waddle. Patriots Colts and Titans definitely make the most sense. It would be really interesting if a team like the Jags or Jets made a play for Julio after just drafting Lawrence and Wilson
I hear ya on the ‘Fins, but it would be cool for them to go all in! They claim Tua’s their guy so give him a HoF to throw to and help set the O tempo as well.
No one should part with much for Julio. Missed time last year with hamstring issues and he’s 32. Odds are he’s washed now or will be soon. Atlanta already got all his best years.
Spot on with that comment Rocket32!
Julio’s best years are behind him. The wear and tear on his body is telling .
Atlanta is in a tough spot and every GM knows it!
Atlanta will have the choice of taking the best of the worst offers and move on.
Dolphins are stacked with young receivers. No need to “pay up” for an area they don’t need.
49ers have no first round picks for many years
The article said that.
What could the 9ers give up? They have no 1sts
Just don’t let him land in the NFC West otherwise
Just can’t see a first for him at this stage…
Exactly this…
I could possibly see the Falcons eating roughly 5mil or so, and THEN maybe they could get one 2nd Round pick, and then the Falcons could also receive another conditional 3rd Round pick based off of how many games Julio 8s able to start…Goodluck..!!
Come on Jets
Don’t sleep on the Eagles with potentially three #1’s in 2022
Eagles are in a terrible spot cap wise
Colts for a 3rd next year, and a 3rd/2nd(based on performance) in 2023. Throw in Pascal too.
I think the 1st round depending on who it is from can be warranted considering even at his age he is still a top 10 receiver.
If the Chiefs were to offer their 1st rounder vs what the Jets are giving on their 2nd rounder is there going to be that huge of a difference other than a 5th year option? Most likely not. The opposite would be a huge difference between a Jets 1st vs a Chiefs 2nd round, so i would expect they are looking for a low 1st rounder early 2nd rounder.
With a low 1st rounder you could end up with a n’keal harry or jaelon raegor or you a chance you could end up with a justin jefferson. There is a pretty big risk either way, but I would prefer someone that is a little more known and a producer in Julio if its a end of 1st round.
If anyone gives up a first rounder better get the vast majority of that contract eaten by the Falcons.
can you tell me what is the difference between if you get the 32nd and the 33rd pick … ie difference between 1st and 2nd round? You get the option of one more year of control that can potentially save you tons of money.
See, I’d thought that ONLY 1st-R’s are ABLE to get that 5th-year ‘tract!!? 32/33
I’m just ready for this to be over… lord
Is no one going to point the picture. That’s clearly not Julio Jones… More like Devin Hester.