With the Atlanta Falcons wrapping up free agency after signing a pair of tight ends on Thursday, all eyes shift back to the pending contract extension for Julio Jones. Prior to the NFL offseason beginning, the two sides had yet to begin talks of a new deal while everyone from new head coach Dan Quinn to general manager Thomas Dimitroff stated the wide receiver would be getting his pay day soon enough. With plenty of salary cap space left to burn, will the talks with Jones begin to speed up before the draft?
According to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com, the Falcons and Jones have not spoken on a new contract as the receiver prepares to enter the final year of his contract. The Falcons picked up his fifth-year option last year worth over $10 million and he is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2016. Quinn stresses that he wants Jones around for the long-term given how great of a receiver he is.
"The things I've heard about him, just in terms of the leader he's become on and off the field, can't wait to connect with him," Quinn said, via ESPN.com. "For me, just to have the chance to start the process with him, I can't wait. ... We love great players, and we want to celebrate all the good guys that we have. We're trying to collect more great players, not the other way around."
Determining a deal for Jones could be difficult given the market this year was inconsistent. Jeremy Maclin signed a five-year, $55 million deal with $22 million in guaranteed money. Randall Cobb inked a four-year, $40 million deal with $17 million in guaranteed money. Where does Jones fall on the spectrum? Certainly Jones is guaranteed a bigger deal than Maclin, but injury history could be hurting the amount of guaranteed money the Falcons are willing to give up.
The Falcons need to re-sign Jones. At the moment, he is the only star wide receiver under the age of 30. Roddy White has potentially two more years left in him. The team released Harry Douglas. Devin Hester and Eric Weems are also aging. The Falcons will likely turn to the draft for help as well. Certain mock drafts have the team selecting Amari Cooper in the first round, but the chances of that happening are slim to none. The Falcons could eye other options like Chris Conley at George, Sammie Coates out of Auburn or DeVante Parker from Louisville.