Week 1 vs. Philadelphia
Julio Jones finished as fantasy's WR8 last season after catching 104-of-163 targets for 1,593 yards and six touchdowns. He'll receive even more opportunities to shine in Kyle Shanahan's offense, which will undoubtedly run through Jones in the passing game. Injuries are always a concern with Jones, but when he's healthy, he's a must-start in all fantasy formats. Currently ranked as our WR3 for Week 1, he has a great matchup versus the Eagles and their No. 28 fantasy pass defense on Monday night. Byron Maxwell was added to Philadelphia's secondary this offseason and while he has the size to match up with Jones, he doesn't have the speed. The Eagles will likely bracket Jones in coverage but that will be the case every week as defensive coordinators try to figure out how to defend the dynamic receiver. Either way, Jones should be in your lineup.
Fantasy Upside
Julio Jones finished as fantasy's No. 8 receiver after recording career-highs in receptions (104), targets (164) and yardage (1,593). If he can avoid injuries, there's zero reason to believe that he'll take a step back in 2015. His size and speed make him a nightmare matchup for opponents. But it's his route-running, his attention to detail and overall work ethic that sets him apart. With Roddy White aging and new additions Leonard Hankerson, Jacob Tamme and Justin Hardy serving more as possession receivers, Jones remains Matt Ryan's go-to red-zone option and vertical threat. Jones has emerged as one of the elite playmakers in the NFL and the sky is the limit in terms of his potential.
Fantasy Downside
The only real negative to Jones' fantasy outlook is his durability (or lack thereof). Due to foot and other nagging injuries, Jones has played a full 16-game season only once in his career (2012). He missed all but five games in 2013, crushing owners that invested a high pick in him coming off his '12 campaign. Given his current ADP of 1.09, he could ruin plenty of fantasy seasons again this year if he were to miss significant time.
Bottom Line
In four seasons playing in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's system in Houston, Andre Johnson averaged 6.6 catches, 90.2 yards and 0.52 touchdowns per game. Now that Shanahan is in Atlanta, there's no reason to believe that Jones won't match or exceed those numbers playing the "X" position. If he can stay healthy, Jones could post top-5 receiver numbers as Ryan's top weapon. If you want him, you'll pay a premium price for Jones on draft night. But ranked as our No. 7 wideout heading into 2015, he won't disappoint if he can stay out of the trainer's room.
Week 17: Jones vs. Panthers
Despite playing through an oblique injury, Julio Jones caught seven-of-eight targets for 107 yards in the Falcons' Week 16 win over the Saints. He proved on his first reception that he would be more than just a decoy when he high-pointed a pass with a defender at his back and secured 23-yard catch for a first down. While he was held out of practice this week, Jones should play on Sunday despite not being 100-percent healthy. If the Falcons beat the Panthers then they'll win the NFC South and host a playoff game next week, so there's no reason to think Jones will hold himself out. He's our No. 6 overall WR for Week 17 and should be in all lineups.
Week 15: Jones vs. Steelers
One week after shredding Arizona for 10-189-1, Julio Jones caught 11-of-17 targets for 259 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' Week 14 loss to the Packers. As productive as he was, Jones could have had two more touchdowns had he dragged one of his feet inbounds on an incompletion in the end zone in the second half and was also held two yards short of the end zone on a reception in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for Jones and his fantasy owners, he also suffered a hip injury on that goal line play and his status for Week 15 is uncertain. He didn't practice in the middle of the week and is headed for a game-time decision so monitor his status leading up to game time. Given his production the last two weeks, he's a must-start if he dresses (especially versus a shaky Pittsburgh secondary). Jones currently ranks as our No. 11 overall WR but that will obviously change leading up to Sunday.
Week 14: Jones vs. Packers
Julio Jones caught 10-of-12 targets for 189 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons’ Week 13 win over the Cardinals. The yardage was a career-high for Jones, who was motivated after being called out earlier in the week by Arizona cornerback Patrick Peterson. Arizona’s decision to match Peterson one-on-one with Jones backfired as the receiver had his way with the cornerback throughout the game. It was Jones’ second 100-plus yard game in his last four contests and his second touchdown in as many weeks. Jones ranks as our No. 9 overall WR for Week 14 and should be in your lineup in what could be a high-scoring game in Green Bay on Monday night.
Week 13: Jones vs. Cardinals
Julio Jones caught five-of-13 targets for 68 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' Week 12 loss to the Browns. While he did catch his first touchdown since Week 3 against the Bucs, Jones and Matt Ryan continue to lack chemistry. The good news is that Jones is still seeing a ton of targets (35 times in three games) and Dirk Koetter continues to throw the his way via receiver screens (even though defenses seemingly know they're coming now). The bad news is that the production isn't there, and Atlanta's explosive offense can't get on track. We've ranked Jones as our No. 13 overall WR for Week 13 as he has a difficult matchup versus Patrick Peterson and the Cardinals.
Week 12: Jones vs. Browns
Julio Jones caught six-of-11 targets for 59 yards in the Falcons’ Week 11 win over the Panthers. His performance came on the heels of an eight-catch, 119-yard effort the week before against the Buccaneers so Jones’ output in Week 11 was disappointing (much like his entire season). He has now failed to catch a touchdown pass in seven consecutive weeks. His lack of production this year is ostensibly because of a) an ankle injury that has hampered him more than he’s let on, b) Matt Ryan’s regression over the past five weeks and c) injuries destroying Atlanta’s offensive line and subsequently, the Falcons’ ability to throw vertical. Simply put, Ryan doesn’t have consistent time to throw deep, which has limited Jones’ impact. Frustrated owners will look to sell but you’d only be selling low if you did unload him at this juncture. Despite his numbers (or lack thereof), Jones remains a top 10 WR that should remain in your lineup. He ranks as our No. 8 overall WR for Week 12.
Week 11: Jones vs. Panthers
Julio Jones caught eight-of-11 targets for 119 yards in the Falcons’ Week 10 win over the Buccaneers. He should have had a monster performance but he dropped a pass on a perfectly executed wide receiver screen and Matt Ryan badly underthrew him on a potential deep touchdown in the first quarter. Regardless, he posted his first 100-yard receiving effort in his last four games and clearly remains the go-to guy in Atlanta. He’s our No. 5 overall WR for Week 11 and is a must start in all fantasy formats.
Week 10: Jones vs. Bucs
Julio Jones caught 4-of-6 targets for 58 yards in the Falcons’ Week 8 loss to the Lions. He also dropped a screen pass that stopped the clock in the waning moments of the game and contributed to Atlanta’s second half collapse. Still, through eight games Jones is on pace for 106 catches for 1,468 yards and six touchdowns. The Falcons’ schedule also sets up nicely for Jones to go off in the second half, provided of course that Atlanta’s offensive linemen stop dropping like flies. Despite his poor performance against the Lions, Jones remains a bona fide WR1 and said Thursday that he’s 100% now after being slowed by an ankle injury in the first half of the season. He’s our No. 5 overall WR for Week 10 and should be in your lineup.
Week 8: Jones vs. Lions
Julio Jones caught 5-of-8 targets for 56 yards in the Falcons’ Week 7 loss to the Ravens. Atlanta’s banged up offensive line continues to hold quarterback Matt Ryan hostage, which in turn has limited Jones’ production in the passing game. Teams like Baltimore are also bracketing him in coverage and forcing Ryan to beat them with Roddy White, who had a nice game against the Ravens but continues to be a shell of his former self. Jones is still a bona fide WR1 and the Falcons continue to get the ball in his hands via screens, but his fantasy potential has been suppressed by a brutal offensive line. Jones ranks as our No. 6 overall WR for Week 8. Keep him in your lineup.
