Julio Jones

One of the greatest receivers of the 2010s, known for his rare combination of size, speed, and catching ability.

Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones Jr. (born February 8, 1989) is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the NFL for 13 seasons, primarily with the Atlanta Falcons. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide where he won a national championship in 2009, and was selected by the Falcons in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2011 NFL draft. He is regarded as one of the greatest receivers of the 2010s.

Quick Facts

Position

Wide receiver

Born

8 February 1989

Birthplace

Foley, Alabama, U.S.

High school

Foley

College

Alabama (2008–2010)

Draft year

2011

Draft round

Former teams

Atlanta Falcons (2011, 2020)
Tennessee Titans (2021)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2022)
Philadelphia Eagles (2023)

Lore & Background

After a productive rookie season, Jones recorded 1,198 receiving yards and ten touchdowns in 2012 and was named to his first Pro Bowl. After an injury-plagued 2013 season where he only played five games, Jones led the Falcons in receiving yards in 2014, and made his second Pro Bowl, beginning to develop a deep chemistry with team quarterback Matt Ryan. Jones broke out the next season, leading the league in receiving yards and co-leading in receptions, both of his statistics ranking top five all-time in a season.

After this season, he was named to his first All-Pro selection. In 2016, Jones again had a productive year, garnering another All-Pro selection, and helped to lead the Falcons to Super Bowl LI. Over the next three seasons, Jones amassed 4,515 yards, the most by any player during that span, including leading the league again in yards in 2018. Jones has amassed the most receiving yards by any player since entering the league, and more than any receiver in the 2010s, with 12,125 yards during that span.

In doing so, Jones was invited to seven Pro Bowls, including six consecutive from 2014 to 2019, was a first-team All-Pro selection twice and was named second-team All-Pro three times. On November 11, 2018, Jones became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 career receiving yards. On September 15, 2019, Jones became the all-time career receiving yards leader for the Falcons. On October 5, 2020, Jones became the all-time career receptions leader for the Falcons.

His career average of 87.9 receiving yards per game is the sixth-highest in NFL history, and as of 2025, he is tied for third all time in career games with 100-yards receiving with 59 career games. After another injury-plagued 2020 season, Jones was traded to the Tennessee Titans in 2021 after reported disgruntlement with Atlanta's new front office. After being released by the Titans in 2022, Jones signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles before being released at the conclusion of the 2023 season.

Reader's Guide

Jones has been noted for having a rare combination of size (6 ft 3 in and 220 lbs), speed (40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds), catching ability, strength, leaping ability, and body control, which has drawn frequent comparisons to Calvin Johnson.