Jones moves into fifth on Falcons’ all-time receiving list

3. Alfred Jenkins, 6,267 yards in 110 games

4. Andre Rison, 5,633 yards in 78 games

5. Julio Jones, 4,471 yards in 50 games

6. Jim Mitchell, 4,358 yards in 155 games

Julio Jones is moving up the Falcons’ all-time receiving yardage list – in a hurry.

The Falcons wideout moved into fifth place in franchise history in just his 50th game as he caught nine passes for 141 yards in Monday night’s season-opening 26-24 win over the Eagles at the Georgia Dome. Jones now has 4,471 career yards as he moved past Jim Mitchell (4,358 yards in 155 games) with an 18-yard first-quarter reception.

Next up is Andre Rison.

So, according to the early results, that $71.25 million was money well spent. Jones signed a five-year deal, with $47.5 million guaranteed, weeks before the season.

Jones had eight catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns in the first half as the Falcons led 20-3 after two quarters. In fact, until the Eagles’ final first-half possession, Jones had more touchdowns (two) than the Eagles had rushing yards (minus-four). Darren Sproles’ 11-yard with 40 seconds left putting the Eagles in the black.

Jones was the clear winner in the $134 million matchup with Eagles cornerback Byron Maxwell, who just signed a $63 million free-agent deal this offseason.

Both of Jones’ touchdowns came in the second quarter. He caught a 4-yarder from Matt Ryan with 10:44 left to cap an 11-play, 88-yard drive. He caught a 22-yarder with 45 seconds left in the period. The score came on the first play, after an Eagles’ illegal contact penalty, following a William Moore interception.

Jones caught on 44-yard pass on the Falcons’ first possession after the Eagles took a 24-23 fourth-quarter lead. The drive resulted in a go-ahead and game-winning field goal.