Week 16 at New Orleans Saints
Julio Jones caught 3-of-8 targets for 54 yards in the Falcons' Week 15 win over the Bucs. Matt Ryan underthrew Jones on a potential deep touchdown pass and Jones himself let a deep ball go through his hands in the second half, so the night could have been bigger for the wideout. Considering he obliterated Tampa Bay in his previous two meetings against the Bucs, it was a disappointing evening for Jones owners. In fact, he was completely shut out in the second half.
Julio is also dealing with an ankle injury that sidelined him on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. The injury shouldn't keep him out of this Sunday's pivotal NFC South matchup with the Saints but it is worth keeping an eye on. Atlanta's passing game is clearly out of sync still but Jones is a marquee talent capable of going off in any given game. Ranked as our No. 3 WR against the Saints' No. 11 ranked defense against fantasy wide receivers, Jones remains a must-start.
Week 15 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Julio Jones caught 5-of-11 targets for 98 yards in the Falcons' Week 14 win over the Saints. One week after getting shut down by Xavier Rhodes of the Vikings, it was a nice bounce-back performance for Jones. He should have had a bigger night from a yardage standpoint, but a big game was wiped out on a bogus pass interference call in the second half. Jones barely pushed off rookie Marshon Lattimore.
Jones' biggest game of the season came in Week 12 when he caught 12 passes for 253 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Bucs. He gets to face that same Tampa Bay team on Monday night when the Falcons visit their NFC South rivals. Jones loves playing the Bucs and thus, is our No. 3 WR for Week 15. He's a must-start.
Week 14 vs. New Orleans Saints
One week after posting a monster game against the Bucs, Julio Jones was held to 2 catches (on 6 targets) for 24 yards in the Falcons' Week 13 loss to the Vikings. Xavier Rhodes is good and all, but why Jones saw only 6 targets in such a pivotal game is a head-scratcher. Whether it's Steve Sarkisian failing to find ways to consistently get Jones open, or Matt Ryan's failure to let his No. 1 receiver win more contested passes, there's no excuse for Julio to come down with only 2 receptions in a game he started and finished.
Nevertheless, Jones is a must-start on Thursday night when the Falcons host the Saints in yet another crucial game to Atlanta's playoff hopes. Ranked as our No. 4 WR for Week 14, Jones needs to be in your lineup.
Week 13 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Julio Jones finally had his breakout game for 2017, racking up 12-of-15 targets for 253 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Falcons' Week 12 victory. For some reason, Tampa Bay decided to give him plenty of cushion in coverage and Jones exploited the Bucs' foolishness. He caught a 51-yard touchdown pass from Mohamed Sanu (yes, Mohamed Sanu) for his first score. His second touchdown came from 25 yards out when he broke free on a double-move and then raced towards the end zone while diving for the pylon. The 253 yards were the third-most of his career.
Even though Jones will draw Xavier Rhodes on Sunday, the Falcons are finally starting to fire on all cylinders. Ranked as our No. 2 WR for Week 13, make sure Jones is in your lineup for this weekend's huge matchup with the Vikings.
Week 12 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Julio Jones caught 5-of-10 targets for 71 yards in the Falcons' Week 11 victory over the Seahawks. In an exploitable matchup, Jones had another quiet night and is stuck on just 1 touchdown this season. He dropped a pass on the first play of the game but also made a spectacular catch along the sideline with two receivers in his face.
Jones was limited at practice this week due to ankle and knee injuries. He should play and despite having a quiet season he has a great matchup against a Buccaneers defense ranked 31st against fantasy receivers. Ranked as our No. 2 WR for Week 12, make sure Jones is in your lineup for Sunday.
Week 11 at Seattle Seahawks
Julio Jones caught 6-of-8 passes for only 57 yards in the Falcons' Week 10 win over the Cowboys. Matt Ryan threw multiple touchdown passes for a third consecutive game but none of those scores went to Jones, who still only has one touchdown on the season. It's simply been a quiet year for the 28-year-old.
Jones also remains hobbled by an ankle injury, although he's not in danger of missing Monday night's game in Seattle. Ranked as our No. 8 WR for Week 11, Jones remains a WR1 and with Richard Sherman out for the season, perhaps he's ready to break loose this week.
Week 10 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Julio Jones caught 6-of-12 targets for 118 yards in the Falcons’ Week 9 loss to the Panthers. The good news is that the 12 targets were the second-most Jones has seen this season. The 118 yards were also a season-high and only the second time Jones has posted 100 yards in a game this year. The bad news is that Matt Ryan overthrew Jones on a potential long touchdown in the first half and then Jones dropped the easiest of scores in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. The drop, which came in the end zone and with no defender within 10 yards of Jones, summed up the Falcons’ 4-4 start in 2017.
Jones also suffered an ankle injury in the first half of the game but was able to play through it. He was limited this week in practice but is still in line to play against Dallas this Sunday. Monitor his situation leading up to the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday. If he plays, he’s our No. 2 ranked WR for Week 10 and needs to be in all lineups. If he doesn’t, Mohamed Sanu becomes Atlanta’s No. 1 receiver and Taylor Gabriel emerges as a streaming option.
Week 9 at Carolina Panthers
Julio Jones caught just 3-of-6 targets for 74 yards in the Falcons' Week 8 win over the Jets. Fifty-four of those 74 yards came on one pass, as Matt Ryan finally challenged the Jets defense deep and Jones responded by running past their secondary. The pass helped savage Jones' fantasy day.
Jones only has one touchdown this season but that number is bound to improve in the second half of the season. Jones is too good for Ryan and OC Steve Sarkisian to hold back. Part of the problem is Sarkisian's inexperience as a play-caller, but Ryan is at fault for not attempting more deep passes this season. Something has to give.
Ranked as our WR4 for Week 9, make sure Jones is in your lineup. Fantasy owners are surely disappointed in Jones' production, but he's going to bust loose at some point.
Week 8 at New York Jets
Julio Jones caught 9-of-13 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' Week 7 loss to the Patriots. He was nearly held out of the end zone for a sixth straight week but wouldn't be denied in garbage time, ripping the ball out of a defender's hands. Jones saw 3 red zone targets in the game, which is an improvement on previous weeks.
The Falcons' offense is out of sync but even with Matt Ryan struggling, Jones has to be in your lineup. He's too good to play the matchup game every week. Ranked as our No. 3 WR for Week 8, start Jones against the Jets in what is a great matchup on paper.
Week 7 at New England Patriots
Julio Jones caught 6-of-7 targets for 72 yards in the Falcons’ Week 6 loss to the Dolphins. Unfortunately, his touchdown-less streak now stands at five games. He’s healthy, but the Falcons passing game is out of sync. Matt Ryan can’t stop turning the ball over and Steve Sarkisian hasn’t found his rhythm as a play-caller.
Head coach Dan Quinn said earlier this week Jones needs the ball more, but we’ll see how much he’s a factor on Sunday night when the Falcons visit the Patriots. Either way, Jones needs to be in your lineup. He’s bound to go off at some point and perhaps it’ll be against New England’s No. 27-ranked defense against fantasy receivers. Jones is our No. 3 ranked WR for Week 7.
