Titans Acquire Julio Jones, See Super Bowl Odds Improve to +2500

• Prior to the trade, Tennessee Titans’ Super Bowl odds were +3300 as of June 2
• The Atlanta Falcons receive a 2022 second-round draft pick and a 2023 fourth-round selection
• Along with Jones, the Falcons will send a 2023 sixth-round pick to the Titans

The Tennessee Titans have won the Julio Jones Sweepstakes.  It was confirmed on Sunday that the Atlanta Falcons have traded the big-play receiving threat to the Tennessee Titans.

Jones, one of the premier wideouts in the NFL, had been the subject of trade speculation over the past two months as the San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens and L.A. Rams emerged as possible targets, along with the Falcons.

This was seen as a big swing for the Titans, who saw an immediate jump in their Super Bowl Odds, climbing from +3300 to +2500. But the top three continue to hold down the first three spots. The Kansas City Chiefs (+500), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+650) and the Buffalo Bills (+1200) own the shortest odds to win the NFL Championship.

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Odds as of June 6th from DraftKings

Some believe Jones could be the final piece in a championship roster. At the very least, he projects to be a welcome complement to quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who is one of the most efficient passers in the game while Jones can help Tannehill stretch the field vertically.

Jones will provide a 1-2 punch with A.J. Brown in the passing attack and take some of the workload off running back Derrick Henry. Although this has been a run-heavy offense, Jones’ addition could bring much-needed balance to the Titans’ offense.

The #Bills and #Cardinals realized profound offensive improvement last season after trading for veteran WR – Stefon Diggs and DeAndre Hopkins, respectively. I expect Julio Jones to do the same in his first season with the #Titans.

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) June 6, 2021

The Titans (11-5) are defending AFC South champions and just 17 months removed from a conference title game appearance. But their early exit in last season’s playoffs lowered expectations for this group. But the move could bring Jones closer to contention after he went the past three years without a playoff appearance.

The Falcons receive a 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 fourth-round selection. The Falcons will also send the Titans a 2023 sixth-round pick.

Titans Taking On Salary

The Falcons had to work out their tight salary-cap situation, and finally pulled the trigger. The Falcons needed to save money by waiting until after June 1.

Tennessee will take on all of his $15.3 million salary for 2021 and the remaining two years of his contract, while the Falcons assume $7.75 million in dead money.

Jones was scheduled to cost the Falcons $23.05 million against the cap in 2021. He has cap hits of $19.263 million in 2022 and 2023.

By moving him after June 1, the Falcons got relief against the cap this season because the dead money owed to him would be split between this season and next.

The Titans players love the addition of Jones. Henry and Brown have expressed their interest on social media in having Jones as a teammate, and late last month, Brown posted a TikTok video to Jones explaining why the Titans would be a perfect fit.

Titans Were In Need of Pass-Catching Help

The Titans lost two of their top pass-catchers in free agency as wide receiver Corey Davis signed with the New York Jets and tight end Jonnu Smith signed with the New England Patriots.

The Falcons drafted Jones sixth overall in the 2011 draft.

#49ers Kyle Shanahan on Julio Jones trade to the Titans:

“I’m very glad he’s in the AFC.”pic.twitter.com/ZFluqWGOPB

— Lydia (@limajuliettango) June 6, 2021

Jones  is the Falcons’ career leader in catches (848) and yards (12,896) and is second to Roddy White in touchdown receptions (63).  His 95.5 receiving yards per game is the best per-game average in NFL history.

But at age 32, Jones struggled through 2020 with a hamstring injury. He was limited to nine games and posted only 51 catches for 771 yards and three touchdowns. These were his worst totals since his injury-filled 2013 campaign.

Is Julio Jones In Decline?

But for those thinking this might herald a decline, it’s worth noting that Jones had made five consecutive All-Pro teams prior to laboring through the 2020 campaign.

Jones had at least 80 catches and 1,300 yards in each year from 2014-19, averaging 104 receptions for 1,565 yards in this span.

Julio Jones
AJ Brown
Derrick Henry
Ryan Tannehill

Titans got a squad 👀 pic.twitter.com/mD7EPYYhPv

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) June 6, 2021

As for the Falcons, Calvin Ridley looks like he will slide into the No. 1 role. Ridley’s fifth-year option was picked up by Atlanta in May. Atlanta finished 4-12 last season, but after this deal, they seem even further from the playoffs.

In the latest Super Bowl odds, the Falcons have drifted down to +6000  from +5000 before the Jones trade was executed. That puts them behind the Washington Football Team (+5000) and just ahead of the New York Giants (+6600).