The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is counting down the Top 50 players in Atlanta Falcons history during the franchise’s 50th anniversary season. No. 13 is wide receiver Julio Jones.
Years played for Falcons: Julio Jones was drafted 6th overall by the Falcons in the 2011 NFL draft. Since his first season in Atlanta, Jones has been worth all five draft picks the Falcons traded to move up in the draft. Jones has helped lead the Falcons to two playoff appearances including the NFC Championship game in 2012 and has led the offense at a record-setting pace.
Jersey No.: 11
His impact on the team: Coming from the University of Alabama, Jones has been a dominant force as the Falcons gave Cleveland five drafts picks for him including their first round pick in 2012. He has reached two Pro Bowls in his first four seasons and is on pace to head to a third this season, going into the Jacksonville game this Sunday with 109 receptions for 1,426 yards and six touchdowns. In 2014, Jones finished third in the NFL in both receptions (104) and receiving yards and through 13 weeks of the 2015 season leads the league in both categories. In his short time with Atlanta he has pulled in nearly 387 receptions to go along with over 5,756 yards and 32 scores. Last year, he set the franchise record with 1,593 yards receiving in a single season and he is on pace to shatter that record this year.
Where he is now: Julio, 26, now in his fifth season with the team is looking to return to the Pro Bowl and playoffs. He just signed a five-year $71 million contract that will keep him in a Falcon jersey through the 2020 season.
On his contract and being a Falcon for life: "I didn't have any doubt in my mind that we were going to get it done. Whether it was this year or next year, we were going to get a deal done. I want to be a Falcon for the rest of my career, and Mr. Blank let it be known that he wanted me here as well." (ESPN)
Dan Quinn on Julio Jones: "Just a chance to go through the process with him. ... We love great players. We're trying to celebrate all the good guys. We're trying to collect more great players, not the other way around." (Sports World Report)
50: Chuck Smith
49: Michael Haynes
47: John Zook
46: Ken Reaves
45: Lynn Cain
44: Justin Blalock
43: Bobby Butler
42: Tim Mazzetti
41: Buddy Curry
40: Scott Case
39: Jeff Merrow
38: Elbert Shelley
37: Matt Bryant
36: Alge Crumpler
35: Michael Turner
34: Ray Buchanan
33: Chris Hinton
32: Terance Mathis
31: Devin Hester
30: Don Smith
29: Greg Brezina
28: Chris Miller
27: John James
26: Bob Whitfield
25: Rolland Lawrence
24: Alfred Jenkins
23: Billy Johnson
22: Chris Chandler
21: Morten Andersen
20: John Abraham
19: George Kunz
18: Jamal Anderson
17: Keith Brooking
16: R.C. Thielemann
15: Tony Gonzalez
14: Andre Rison
13: Julio Jones
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