Julio Jones Fantasy Football Outlook & Value 2019

Julio Jones is entering his ninth season in the NFL, and he continues to dominate despite a lack of touchdown production. While Jones has had only one double-digit touchdown season since entering the league, he averages 96.7 receiving yards per game, and has produced five straight 1,400+ yard seasons. In one of the more fantasy friendly teams, and Jones continues produce top five WR seasons. Looking ahead at 2019, he enters as a projected top 5 wideout, even with things getting quite crowded. Whine all you want about his touchdown production, because Jones gets it done regardless. Despite turning 30, Jones is primed for another big year with the Atlanta Falcons.

2018 Fantasy Recap

Julio Jones finished with his second highest yards in a season, and also posted over 100 yards per game for the fifth time in his career. Jones led the league in targets (170), and also receiving yards. Jones was in the top 20 in average target air yards and had some of the best separation numbers in football. There is no signs of slowing down for Jones right now. It was also no surprise to see him have another strong season in addition to another Matt Ryan career year. 2018 was another big year for Jones, yet it seems most have gravitated towards the Hopkins, Adams, and Thomas crowd in terms of being the top fantasy wideout.

2019 Fantasy Outlook

The Falcons bring a top five quarterback and wide receiver to the table in terms of projected fantasy points. Wideouts will have a top ten schedule against opposing secondaries this season, as if they need any help. The thing with Jones is that he is such an efficient route runner and also a nightmare to play against. He had 2.93 yards per route run last season, and was above 3.00 the season prior. Even at age 30, Jones is a safe bet for fantasy drafts.

While you may have concerns about his touchdown numbers, which always seems to be the case when discussing Jones, you really shouldn’t. His consistent yardage outcomes make him a top eight wideout each season. The only time he wasn’t that, was 2013 when he played just five games. In 2018, Jones led the league in TAY%, which is percentage of team’s air yards. Both him and DeAndre Hopkins were the only two above 40%. Jones has a lot of competition for a WR1 finish on the year, especially with a few newcomers and OBJ with a viable QB.

Step into the Fantasy Decider as we discuss the good and the bad in a battle against Julio Jones vs Michael Thomas ($$)https://t.co/0ESTsl2wq6 pic.twitter.com/LzOdwgpKgm

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) May 18, 2019

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Draft & Auction Value

Julio Jones is likely going to be sitting there within the last few picks of round one, and you should feel completely comfortable with him in that spot. Especially if you can pair with Matt Ryan 5-6 rounds later. Jones at the moment is being taken as the fourth wideout off the board, behind Hopkins, Adams, and Thomas. Jones is also sitting in auctions right around the $30 mark, which isn’t surprising at all. There will be no discount despite Jones turning 30 and other wideouts creeping ahead of him.