Las Vegas Raiders: Julio Jones takes the offense to the next level
By Daniel Davis
A trade for wide receiver Julio Jones by the Las Vegas Raiders would show they are willing to take the offensive to the next level.
Heading into the 2021 offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders had holes on both sides of the ball. On offense, they created a few holes of their own, trading away veterans Gabe Jackson and Rodney Hudson while revamping the offensive line.
For years, the Raiders have had to get better on the other side of the ball as well, and defense was definitely a focus this offseason. However, Las Vegas could still be in the market for some offensive help, even after bringing in talent the past few years.
The offense has added some key pieces recently, such as Josh Jacobs, Henry Ruggs, and the breakout play of tight end Darren Waller. This year, however, the Raiders could be in the market to make a big offensive splash, as they are rumored to be in the market for Julio Jones.
Jones had a down season last year as his age finally caught up with him and a sprained ankle hindered his 2020 campaign as the Falcons wings were clipped yet again. The aging 31-year-old veteran is at the point in his career where he is vying for a ring rather than a big paycheck, but the Raiders should be willing to pay the price to bring him to Sin City.
If they can make this deal happen, this year, the Raiders will be welcoming two new things to the Death Star: Julio Jones, and fans. Quarterback Derek Carr would be the biggest winner here, as he has never had a receiver with the talent of Jones, except maybe Amari Cooper in his prime.
The Raiders’ bread and butter the past few seasons has been the running game and the play-action passing game to Waller over the middle as the opposing linebackers step up to defend the run. This year, however, the Raiders look to give Derek Carr all the weapons he needs to take this team to the next level.
Jones has, and still is one of the best receivers over the past decade, and it’s hard to imagine the Falcons played with Roddy White and Julio Jones with Tony Gonzalez on the same team at one point in Matt Ryan’s career. While he is older, he is still a super-talented player, and adding him would bring this offense to the next level.
Ruggs and Bryan Edwards are entering Year 2, and still have a lot of work to do, but Jones would enable the team to bring them along slower than they will have to if they assume a bigger role in the offense. In the end, any offense with Julio Jones on it is better regardless of the players already on that team, but Jones putting on the Silver and Black would make the offense elite.