Although the Dallas Cowboys has had a quiet offseason there are still many talented veteran unsigned agents. After trading Amari Cooper to Browns, it is not surprising that the Cowboys need a wide receiver. Julio Jones, a seven-time Pro Bowler, is now available.
Jones was listed by Jon Machota of The Athletic as one the most valuable free agents remaining and a potential match for the Cowboys. Jones is a friend of Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, whom he met while they were together in Atlanta.
“The seven-time Pro Bowler is 33. He has played in only 19 games over the past two seasons,” Machota wrote on April 21, 2022. “If there is any gas left in the tank, perhaps Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn might suggest Jones is worth adding to the mix at the right price. Quinn was Atlanta’s head coach during Jones’ most productive NFL seasons, which included five consecutive years of at least 1,300 receiving yards.”
Although the Cowboys have $15.3million of remaining cap space, a portion will be used to fund the Cowboys’ draft picks over the next few days. The Cowboys still have some room to sign Jones.
Julio Jones snags his first TD as a Titan 🙌
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/PjBlt1gThP— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 9, 2022
This star wideout just finished the worst statistical year in his 11-year NFL tenure. The Cowboys could be able to negotiate a deal with the playmaker on a one year prove it deal.
Jones had 31 receptions for 434 yard and one touchdown in 10 starts while the playmaker was recovering from injuries. The Titans traded for Jones but it didn’t go according to plan. Tennessee released Jones less than a year after trading a second round pick.
After Six consecutive seasons of more than 1,000 receiving yards Jones has not been able to cross this threshold in the past two seasons. Jones has had to deal with injuries during recent seasons, playing in 19 games in total over the past two years.
Cowboys may look at adding a wide receiver to their draft class, possibly even up to No. 24. Dallas seems optimistic that CeeDee lamb and Michael Gallup will both be able to take on larger roles in the offense to compensate for Cooper’s absence.
Jones could be added to the Cowboys as insurance. but Dallas may prefer to give those snaps to a promising rookie receiver. Stephen Jones, Cowboys executive vice-president, indicated that although Cooper was traded for salary cap reasons the Cowboys are hopeful that there will be some addition and subtraction at wide receiver.
“The greatest thing is that it’s been a long while since we have won any championships and no one appreciates this more than me, Jerry [Jones], or the people in our organization,” Jones stated to Dallas’ 105.3 The Fan. “You have to get over the hump.”
“At the same time, we didn’t last year with that same group of players and sometimes you let a player move on and it allows other players to step up in even a bigger role, whether that’s a CeeDee Lamb or a Michael Gallup. I know Amari was a great player for us, but this might allow certainly CeeDee and Michael to step up and play an even bigger role and who knows what their upside may be.”