Titans Insider Offers Insight On Bucs WR Jones

Tennessee Titans insider Terry McCormick spoke to Pewter Report again in Might once we hinted that the Bucs have been occupied with probably signing extensive receiver Julio Jones. McCormick, who has coated the Titans since 1997 for Titans Insider, mentioned Jones’ lone season in Tennessee and what he might supply the Buccaneers.

“At this stage, he’s in all probability a task participant – a No. 2 or 3 receiver,” McCormick mentioned. “He can nonetheless catch the ball in site visitors and even make the spectacular catch. He’s not as quick anymore, so the YAC (yards after catch) won’t be there. The largest problem with Jones now’s his well being. His hamstring has plagued him for 2 years now. In a restricted position, he could be efficient, however I wouldn’t count on a 70-catch season from him simply due to damage points.”

Jones, who will put on No. 85 with the Bucs, joins a Tampa Bay receiving corps that already options three starters. Professional Bowlers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and newly signed Russell Gage high the depth chart. Gage and Jones performed collectively in Atlanta. Jones will seemingly assume the fourth receiver position on the depth chart.

Final yr, the Titans traded a 2022 second-round decide and a 2023 fourth-rounder to the Falcons for Jones and a sixth-round decide in 2021. Sadly for Tennessee, the transfer didn’t pan out. Jones had hamstring points in his ultimate season in Atlanta that allowed him to solely play in 9 video games. Jones re-injured his hamstring in Tennessee, limiting him to 10 video games. He caught 31 catches on 48 targets for 434 yards (14 avg.) and one landing.

The Titans lower Jones this offseason to create $9.5 million value of cap area. On Wednesday the Bucs signed Jones to a one-year deal value $6 million in base wage. He can earn as much as $2 million in bonus cash, via unlikely to be earned incentives.

With Godwin not working towards at first of coaching camp, the Bucs want a couple of our bodies working towards inside within the slot. Jones has the power to play inside and outside. And at 6-foot-3, 220 kilos, he has sufficient measurement to be an efficient blocker.

“He might do some issues within the slot in addition to exterior,” McCormick mentioned. “His route operating was adequate for the slot, in addition to exterior. For little bursts, he was excellent and nonetheless explosive, however simply couldn’t do it as constantly as they wanted him to for the cash they have been paying. Titans by no means complained about him as a run blocker. He did okay at it, however A.J. Brown and Nick Westbrook have been each higher at run blocking than Julio was.”