(Photo: The Ringer)
I always find myself reminiscing about the 2011 NFL Draft and it’s crazy to believe that took place 14 years ago. Some big named stars were a part of this draft class such as Cam Newton who was the number one overall pick by the Carolina Panthers, Von Miller was drafted by the Denver Broncos at number two and some other notable names like J.J. Watt, A.J. Green, Patrick Peterson, Cameron Jordan and Mark Ingram. Also, this is the draft class when Richard Sherman was selected by the Seattle Seahawks. The Atlanta Falcons had the sixth pick in the first round and a Wide Receiver named Julio Jones fell right into their laps. After 13 seasons in the NFL, Julio has decided to call it a career and retire.
Amongst his peers, Julio was widely regarded as one of the best Wide Receivers during his playing days. It was always incredible to see a guy built as big as he was play as if he were a smaller receiver, almost a slot guy. At 6’3 and 220 pounds, he was your prototypical possession receiver and any one-on-one he had, he was winning that battle. I remember there being times when I would watch him and I’d say how did he get that wide open? It was how Julio transitioned his routes which was very impressive. There wasn’t a pass he couldn’t make, whether it was leaping up for the ball, running over the middle or even cutting back in on the curl route, he was as sure handed as they came. When he broke into the league, I thought Julio was the complete package and had that combination of speed and power. Plus, I’ve never seen a receiver of his build not just be able to create separation, but how quickly he did it. The Cornerback guarding him would think he had him, then just like that, he was gone and the ball is in his hands! Even when he wasn’t open, he found ways to get open and Matt Ryan got him the ball. Julio was a freak athlete that could start the route, plant the foot, catch the ball, then turn it up the field for a big gain. All Matt needed to do was throw the ball in his vicinity and he’d come away with it. If there were a guy on Julio’s left shoulder, Matt was placing that ball anywhere close to the right shoulder. A play I remember very well happened in 2015 when the Carolina Panthers were facing the Atlanta Falcons in a divisional showdown. The pocket collapsed and pushed Matt to his left side. Julio was double covered down the field and Luke Kuechly was defending him. Next, all you see is number 11 leap up for the ball and he sprints to the end zone.
He’s one of the greatest receivers of the 2010s without question. He was Matt Ryan’s top target for years and together, they were one of the best Quarterback/Receiver tandems in the league. Julio spent the first ten seasons of his career with the Atlanta Falcons before being traded to the Tennessee Titans in 2021. After one season in Nashville, he was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022 and played with Tom Brady in his final season then signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. He was the closest thing I saw to Calvin Johnson as he was that rare mix of size, speed, strength, leaping ability and body control. Back to the speed part for a second, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a three-time second team All Pro, a two-time first team all pro and led the league in receiving yards twice (2015 & 2018). It was fun to watch him and I wish him the best in his next chapter.
