With the NFL Draft officially in the books, the Atlanta Falcons can turn their attention to another crucial matter: a long-term extension for wide receiver Julio Jones.
As of now, there have been no discussions between Jones' agent, Jimmy Sexton, and the Falcons front office. However, general manager Thomas Dimitroff realizes how important Jones is to this team.
"There is no question that our focus in the future will be on Julio Jones and where we are," Dimitroff said via ESPN. "I don't want to get into specifics about the timing of that, obviously. But now that the draft is over and we continue to build this football team, we understand that Julio is a very important part of our building and evolving as a championship-type team."
While the Falcons have fallen on tough times lately (back-to-back losing seasons), Jones has continued to shine. He was named to his second Pro Bowl last season after setting a franchise single-season record with 1,593 receiving yards. Jones, 26, produced seven 100-plus-yard games, including a team-record 259 yards versus the Green Bay Packers.
The Falcons naturally exercised the fifth-year option on Jones' rookie contract last year, holding on to their No. 1 weapon in 2015 for just north of $10.1 million. But if he doesn't sign a new contract or get franchise tagged next offseason then he will become an unrestricted free agent.
Jones (rightfully) will want to be paid as one of the top receivers in the NFL. Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson is the highest-paid player at the position with an annual salary of $16 million. It would be surprising if Jones took anything less than the $11 million Vincent Jackson is making per year, good for fifth most at the position.
But it also wouldn't be surprising if Atlanta harbors some apprehensions about a mega-deal for Jones. The talented wide receiver has a history of injuries in his right foot, suffering his fifth metatarsal fracture in Week 5 of the 2013 season. Overall, Jones has missed 15 games in his four years in the league.
"That's not my concern right now," Dimitroff said when asked about Jones' recurring foot problems. "That's not my concern, period."
Jones will have to put together another dominant (and healthy) season to remove any and all reservations the Falcons might have about a lucrative long-term extension.
