Falcons Pro Bowler Julio Jones Ranks 20th In ESPN’s #NFLRANK

USA Today

The Atlanta Falcons are coming off a second straight disappointing season ending with a record of 6-10 resulting a third place finish in the NFC South division behind the New Orleans Saints (7-9) and Carolina Panthers (7-8-1). Both the Saints and Panthers had below .500 records making matters even worse considering the Falcons losing 10 games.

The Falcons may have a squad filled with talent, but have failed to live up to expectations after reaching the NFC Championship Game back in 2012. Despite the team’s problems over the past few years, they still have one of the best players in the game downfield in wide reciever Julio Jones.

Recently, EPSN’s #NFLRANK put together a list of the top 100 players in the league. Jones came in at 20 with only a few other wideouts ranked ahead of him. Following quote is a description of Jones from an NFC evaluator that participated in the ranking, via ESPN:

“He’s as good as anybody if you assume he’s on the field — but you don’t assume that,” said an NFC evaluator. While Jones has missed at least a game in each of his first four seasons, he did play 15 times last year. And his output — 104 catches and 1,593 yards — seems like a good baseline for him over the next 4-5 years. “Big things are ahead,” said one panelist. “He plays the league’s easiest schedule this season.”

Jones was ranked ahead of up-and-comer Odell Beckham Jr. (21) and behind only Demaryius Thomas (18), Antonio Brown (10), Calvin Johnson (Tied for 6) and Dez Bryant (6).

Although Jones has had issues staying healthy throughout his NFL career, the veteran wideout is coming off his best season yet with the Falcons. Jones finished with the 2014 NFL season with a career-high 104 receptions to go along with 1,593 yards, also a career-high, and six touchdowns in 15 games.

Recently, Jones secured his long-term future with the Falcons agreeing to a five-year deal worth $71.25 million with $47.5 guaranteed.