The Case for Julio Jones
Defensive coordinators know when the Atlanta Falcons are on the schedule because the not sleeping and massive planning begins. For what you ask? Its the wide out nightmare known as Julio Jones. He terrorizes any defensive scheme and any laid out preemptive plan to try and stop him. That is one of the main problems coordinators haven’t come to terms with is there is no stopping him and it is only how do we limit him.
In 2019, Jones statistics consisted of 99 catches, 1,394 yards, six touchdowns, 63.7% catch rate, and 77 first downs. As mentioned before, those stats would make most wide receivers drool in the NFL that is not in the premier wide receiver level. Jones’ statistics in the 2020 season should be close to what is above or even better because he gets his offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter back for another year.
Koetter’s offensive layout has Jones moving and playing all over the field. This causes confusion and hecticness which allows a player of Jones’ caliber to reap the rewards of very easily. Having your OC back to work with is great but also forming the triangle with his quarterback Matt Ryan improves Jones’ play even more.
The timing of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones together is very smooth and rhythmic because of playing together with the Falcons for so long. They don’t have to say a word to each other and already know what each other is thinking two-to-three plays ahead in each game. The stats, abilities, and the personnel all bode a strong case for Julio Jones in 2020.
