5 Julio Jones trade candidates that would make major NFL waves

4. A Julio Jones trade could completely revamp the New England Patriots

Would the Atlanta Falcons ever make a trade with the New England Patriots after what happened in Super Bowl LI just purely out of spite? Pettiness can never go underestimated in the NFL but, if the price was right, Bill Belichick would certainly love to have a player of Julio Jones’ caliber in the offense.

After Cam Newton struggled in part because his passing game weapons were extremely lackluster in 2020, the Patriots were aggressive this offseason in making sure that wouldn’t be the case in 2021. New England inked tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry to massive deals while also signing two veteran receivers, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, to join Jakobi Meyers and (maybe) N’Keal Harry.

While that’s a stark improvement from what the Patriots trotted out in terms of pass-catchers last season, that wide receiver room is still lacking in a pretty obvious way. They don’t have a No. 1 target who has the full arsenal of traits that someone like Jones brings to the offense.

Given their aggressive mentality this offseason and the desire to set Newton — or perhaps a soon-to-be incoming young quarterback — up for more success, trading for Jones would be a natural move for the Patriots. He would immediately be the most dangerous weapon on offense, even after all their free agency moves, and likely help New England get firmly back in the playoff picture with the strength of their defense and the newfound offensive upside.