3 teams that must keep Patriots from getting Julio Jones super-weapon
By John Buhler
Scouting Report. AFC. South. Indianapolis Colts. 2. 46. Pick Analysis. player
Trading for Jones makes the Colts the runaway favorite to win the AFC South
Even since Josh McDaniels left them at the altar, the Indianapolis Colts‘ rivalry with the Patriots is back on, according to general manager Chris Ballard. Since taking over in Indianapolis, Ballard has reassembled the Colts roster to the point where they can be a perennial playoff team. Now is the time for the Colts to make their first honest push towards the Super Bowl since that 2014 team.
Pairing Jones with T.Y. Hilton in the receiving corps would make the Colts the runaway favorite to win the AFC South for the first time in years. If new quarterback Carson Wentz cannot cut it with Jones now in his receiving, then the Colts need to cut bait with him after this season. By adding Jones and not letting him go to New England, the Colts can emerge as a top-four team in the AFC.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. AFC. 1. 26. North. Baltimore Ravens. player
Baltimore becomes a Super Bowl contender, but puts pressure on Lamar Jackson
While the Patriots remain the favorite to trade for Jones, one could argue that the Baltimore Ravens would be a close second for his services. Even if they drafted Rashod Bateman out of Minnesota in the first round, he is unproven at the NFL level. By trading for Jones, that prevents him from going to another AFC contender. It puts Baltimore in the mix to get to the Super Bowl.
However, it would be put up or shut up for quarterback Lamar Jackson in Greg Roman’s offense. If the former NFL MVP and 2016 Heisman Trophy winner cannot progress as a passer rifling the ball to the best wide receiver in the league over the last decade, something has to change in the Charm City. While Jackson will stay, Roman will be gone and John Harbaugh is back on the hot seat again.
Ultimately, teams like the Packers, Colts and Ravens will increase their chances of getting to and maybe even winning a Super Bowl with Jones. It would be Super Bowl or bust in Green Bay. As for Baltimore and Indianapolis, those teams would have to get to the AFC Championship game, in addition to winning their division. Either way, trading for him keeps the Patriots from coming back.
If Jones is traded by the Falcons this summer, where should he go besides to New England?
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