Rams No Longer In The Mix To Trade For Julio Jones

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing a source with knowledge of the dynamics, reports that the Rams are no longer in the mix to trade for Julio Jones.

Florio confirms that the Rams did, in fact, explore the possibility, but there are some clear factors working against a Jones’ trade.

Los Angeles is without a first-round pick in each of the next two years and Florio says they may not want to give up others in 2022 or 2023. Beyond that, there would be cap concerns about taking on Jones’ salary and he could end up seeking a new contract for his next team.

The Rams are also fairly deep at receiver with Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, DeSean Jackson, Van Jefferson and 2021 second-rounder Tutu Atwell on their roster.

Reports have said that Seahawks, 49ers, Titans, Patriots, Rams and Ravens are teams to watch for Jones.

The Falcons are looking for a first-round pick in return for Jones. Although, many have said that Atlanta would likely have to include a mid-round pick such as a second-rounder in order to get a first for Jones. 

Jones’ $15.3 million base salary for 2021 is a major obstacle for any interested teams to take on. Atlanta must wait until after June 1 to officially trade Jones due to salary cap reasons. 

According to Over The Cap, the Falcons would incur a dead money hit of $23.25 million for trading Jones before June 1, but only $7.75 million in dead money for a trade after that date, as well as $15.3 million in cap savings. 

Jones, 32, is a former first-round pick of the Falcons back in 2011. He was in the fifth year of his six-year, $81.432 million contract that includes $47 million guaranteed when he agreed to a three-year, $66 million fully guaranteed contract extension in 2019. 

In 2020, Jones appeared in nine games for the Falcons and caught 51 passes for 771 yards receiving and three touchdowns.

We’ll have more on Jones as the news is available.