Could Chargers be among Julio Jones trade suitors?
The Chargers’ wide receiver group is rather crowded heading into training camp. But might they look to add another one, possibly one of the best players at the position in the NFL to take the group to another level?
The Athletic’s Jeff Schultz reported that the Falcons are looking to trade Julio Jones. Atlanta doesn’t have enough cap space to sign their draft picks, and their only options to create space are to trade or restructure the contracts of Jones or defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.
Among the teams that Schultz that might be in on Jones is Los Angeles.
Think of 1) teams with enough cap space to absorb Jones’ $15.3 million base salary; 2) contending teams that believe he would put them over the top; 3) young teams looking to take the next step.
Among the teams that could fall into these categories: Ravens, 49ers, Patriots, Colts and Chargers.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, L.A. has $19.4 million in available cap space. Therefore, the team has the funds to pay some of Jones’ contract in a potential trade.
Jones, the seven-time Pro Bowler, is coming off a year in which he dealt with a hamstring injury. However, the year before that, he posted 1,394 receiving yards on 99 catches.
Would a trade be worth it? When healthy, he is a clear-cut dynamic weapon that would take the Chargers’ offense over the top, as he possesses the speed and explosiveness to give opposing secondaries problems.
What would the team have to give up? Schultz said a first-round draft pick “seems unlikely,” so if Los Angeles had to give up a second and a late-round selection to get Jones, it might be worth it.
An offense that would consist of Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler, Jared Cook and Jones, as well as the young bucks in Jalen Guyton, Tyron Johnson and Josh Palmer, would be a huge threat.
