The next move for the Atlanta Falcons in the 2015 offseason will be a contract extension for Julio Jones, but when it will happen is anyone's guess. The Falcons and Jones have yet to make it public they are negotiating a new deal which has some fans worried Atlanta will not get a deal done in time which could hurt finances next year. Aiming to avoid a standoff, are the Falcons waiting for the wide receiver market to smooth out before giving Jones a deal?
According to head coach Dan Quinn at the NFL Annual Meeting, contract talks with Jones are ongoing. What that means is anyone's guess. Vaughn McClure of ESPN reported earlier in the offseason that the Falcons and Jones had yet to meet to discuss a new contract for the wide receiver as the team was making free agency a priority first. With those signings wrapped up, Jones becomes the focus and yet no talks have been reported. What is the hold up?
Could the Falcons be waiting to see what types of deals Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas get first before determining a dollar sign for Jones? According to DallasCowboys.com writer David Helman, the Cowboys are waiting to see what kind of contracts Jones and Thomas get offered before signing Bryant to a deal. Both Bryant and Thomas were hit with franchise tags after failing to agree on new contracts which is the situation Jones will find himself in next offseason if the Falcons cannot get something done in time.
The Falcons have enough salary cap space left to get Jones under contract. This issue could be determining the amount of guaranteed money the receiver gets. Jones has had injury issues in the past. His 2013 campaign ended early with a foot injury. Jones was leading the league in receiving at the time. He also suffered a hip injury last year against the Green Bay Packers after breaking franchise records. The injury history could be holding things up.
Regardless of what happens with Jones and his contract, the Falcons must add a receiver in the draft. Right now, Jones is the only player under 30 in the rotation and Atlanta needs to start preparing for the departure of Roddy White. Ambitious mock drafts have the Falcons drafting either Amari Cooper or Kevin White in the first round, but that is unlikely given Quinn is stressing the need for a pass rusher. Players like Chris Conley, Phillip Dorsett or possibly DeVante Parker might be more realistic for the team in the second or third round.
