One longtime NFL writer, Peter King of NBC Sports, wouldn't be shocked to see the San Francisco 49ers trade for future Hall of Fame wide receiver Julio Jones. That doesn't necessarily mean he expects the move to happen. King just wouldn't be surprised if it did.
Such a move would make it clear that the 49ers are in win-now mode. The team already has what many believe to be a championship-caliber roster. King recently listed San Francisco as his second-best NFC squad behind the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and fifth-best overall in his power rankings.
King also notes that there are some hurdles to adding Jones and his salary to the 49ers roster. OverTheCap.com currently lists San Francisco as having nearly $17.7 million in cap space, which ranks as the 10th most in the NFL. Any interested team would be responsible for Jones' $15.3 million in base salary this season. Of course, some salary-cap magic could be done to reduce that number a bit or to create more room under the cap.
As King points out, Jones is due $38.3 million over the next three years, and San Francisco still has to figure out a way to extend the contracts of young stars like Fred Warner.
I would guess yes on Lance, but Garoppolo will play as long he's playing well.
— Peter King (@peter_king) May 24, 2021
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Lynch going after Julio wouldn't shock me, but he's 32, doesn't practice much, is owed $38m over next 3 yrs (much guaranteed) and Niners need money to sign the Fred Warners of the roster. https://t.co/OpyM2GiIf0
The 49ers also have to sign three more draft picks and hold onto enough money for any potential in-season transactions. As we saw from last year's injury-plagued campaign, that can sometimes get costly.
RELATED Julio Jones on returning to Atlanta: "I'm out of there"
Jones clearly doesn't expect to return to the Falcons. On Monday, he told Shannon Sharpe of FS1's Undisputed, "I'm out of there," when asked about his future in Atlanta. The receiver added that he would like to join a team that gives him a chance "to win." San Francisco is expected to be one of the top contenders in the conference, and Jones would only add to that, if traded there.
The Falcons reportedly seek a first-round pick for Jones. However, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, most around the league don't see Atlanta receiving compensation that high.
Atlanta has asked teams that have inquired about Julio Jones for a first-round draft pick in return, per sources. Others around the league don't believe the Falcons ultimately will get a first for the perennial Pro-Bowl wide receiver.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 24, 2021