NFL Stories Worth a Look or Listen

Each week, the 33^rd Team shares some links and information regarding NFL stories, articles and podcasts we find valuable. No surprise, this week’s menu offers plenty of reaction and analysis on Julio Jones following his trade from the Falcons to the Titans...

Falcons expected to trade Julio Jones to Titans for second-round pick

Author: PFF.com

Three things you need to know:

Julio Jones will help A.J. Brown find more single-coverage opportunities. Brown’s passer rating when targeted in single coverage since 2019 in 131.5.
Jones will help fill the roles left behind by Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith--both of these former Tennessee playmakers ranked top 12 for their position groups in terms of PFF grades in 2020.
Despite missing seven games during the 2020 season, Jones’ 86.3 PFF grade and 2.6 yards per route were top 10 among wide receivers in 2020. He turned 35% of his targets into gains of at least 15 yard in 2020.

Link to article

Julio Jones Isn’t Running On Empty

Author: Josh Hermsmeyer

Three things you need to know:

Only 25 WRs have over 12,000 career receiving yards, and Julio Jones averaged more receiving yards per season (1,290) than anybody else in that group, including Jerry Rice.
After averaging only 2 yards per route run (YPRR) in his first two seasons, Jones peaked with over 3 YPRR from 2015-18 and still managed 2.7 YPRR in 2020 despite his injuries.
Although the median WR’s max speed is around 18 mph, Jones has regularly topped 20 mph on vertical routes, including in 2020. He saw no significant decline in top speed in an injury-plagued season.

Link to article

The Ringer NFL Show

with Kevin Clark, Nora Princiotti, and Danny Heifetz

Julio Jones traded to the Titans

Three things you need to know:

There’s a lot of young receiving talent in the league at the moment, reducing the trade market for Julio Jones. There were 18 receivers under 25 with 750-plus yards in 2020 for 14 different teams.
On play-action in 2020, Ryan Tannehill was fourth in attempts and third in yards per attempt. New Titans OC Todd Downing is likely to retain a similarly styled offense.
The Titans will face the 31^st-ranked Seahawks and the 20^th-ranked Colts pass defenses within the first two weeks. Julio Jones is primed for a quick start, but the challenge will be maintaining that productivity.

Link to podcast

Move the Sticks with Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks

Episode: Reacting to Julio Jones’ Trade & Top Pass-catching Duos by Division

Three things you need to know:

The Falcons getting just a second-round pick for Jones makes sense due to age, cost and position. Jones is a 32-year-old player at a position that isn’t necessarily viewed as a premier position anymore, who’s declining and is incredibly expensive.
Derrick Henry is still the most important player on Tennessee’s offense. The offense revolves around him and he is one of the most valuable players in the league when it comes to team value despite the additions and weapons now on their offense.
Of all the pass-catching duos in the NFC West, Bucky and D.J. believe the best in the division is D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Chosen over A.J. Green and DeAndre Hopkins, Brandon Aiyuk/George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, and Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods.

Link to podcast