Should the Eagles target Julio Jones in free agency?

Julio Jones is one of the best Wide Receivers in modern NFL history. His combination of size and speed is so unique and has helped him build a HOF resume. Now entering the twilight of his career however, the soon-to-be 33 year-old WR is expected to be on a new team for the third time in three years following today’s release from the Tennessee Titans.

Jones played in only 10 games with the Titans last year after being traded by the Falcons before the season started. In the 10 games played, Jones caught only 30 passes for one touchdown. He hasn’t had a 1,000 yard season since 2019 when he was named a second team All-Pro.

The Eagles have a large need for a #2 WR. The JJAW and Reagor experiments have obviously failed so it is up to the Eagles front office to add a veteran presence to a WR room that desperately needs one. There are many pros and cons for bringing in a player like Jones, so let’s go through them.

Pros

Julio may be getting older, but his experience clearly helped AJ Brown take the next step. The possibility of what he could do for DeVonta Smith is almost too good to pass up. Philly needs a #2 receiver they can count on to 1. catch the ball and 2. get open. Julio can still do both.

You rarely see a team take a flier on a player that is older and continues to decline, but milking the last ounce of good football Julio has left would help this Eagles team a lot. Also, with the Titans releasing Julio, the free agent wideout is expected to take a lesser deal so Philly could potentially get him on a discount.

Julio Jones’ resume is full of HOF worthy stats and plays. Bringing him into the fold will only help this very young and inexperienced passing attack. The team needs consistent players who can get open and catch the football confidently.

And let’s be quite honest here – 10 games of Julio Jones would be exponentially better than 16 games with Jalen Reagor.

Cons

It really comes down to availability and age. Julio hasn’t been healthy the last few years, dealing with a plethora of injuries. He hasn’t played more than 10 games since 2019, and hasn’t played in all 16 since 2018.

His numbers are truly Hall of Fame worthy, but it’s obviously clear those days are behind him. The team needs consistent weapons to grow along with Jalen Hurts and they can’t really afford big injuries to the receiving position. It’s clear Howie has learned from the late 2010’s mistakes in giving older players large deals to come in and offer experience.

Julio’s health is a major issue as he looks for another team. And while he would certainly help the WR room, the question will turn to is it really worth it to have a receiver play a few games, get hurt and the depth of the position group is back again to worry about.

Do you think the Eagles should sign Julio Jones? Let us know in the comments!

Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire