Cardinals can fill number-two wideout hole with Julio Jones

Veteran wide receiver Julio Jones would be a prime candidate for a “prove-it” type of contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

Over the past week, the Arizona Cardinals have made a priority out of retaining their own free agents. That’s all well and good, but the time has come for the club to start adding some new blood to the roster.

This past Wednesday, the Tennessee Titans made some news by releasing a wide receiver who has excelled at the NFL level. Julio Jones, a seven-time Pro Bowler, was sent packing after just one season in Nashville. It was an injury-marred campaign for the 33-year-old, who managed to play in just 10 games for the AFC South champion Titans.

Meanwhile, the Cards have sat idly by while many of the league’s premier free agents have found new teams to flock to. Despite the flurry of signings, a plethora of talented players are still available. And with each passing day, the prices for the individuals who are still seeking employment gradually go down.

Arizona Cardinals may be able to acquire wideout Julio Jones at a bargain rate

During his 10-year tenure as the general manager of the Cardinals, Steve Keim has been quite successful with one-year “prove-it” contracts. Jones, at this point of his career, would appear to be a perfect candidate for that type of deal. Could a union between the Redbirds and the 6-foot-3, 220-pound pass-catcher actually take place?

It just so happens that Arizona has a need for a number-two wideout. The receiver who lands that job could potentially flourish with a stud like DeAndre Hopkins lining up on the opposite side. Jones would no longer have to worry about being double-teamed with a five-time Pro Bowler like Hopkins commanding the bulk of the opposing defense’s attention.

The main concern about Jones has been his inability to stay healthy. Over the past two years, the longtime Atlanta Falcons stud has been plagued by hamstring issues. The nagging ailment caused Jones to miss seven matchups during his last season with Atlanta in 2020 and another seven contests during his stint with Tennessee last fall.

Sure, signing Jones to a contract carries a certain amount of risk. On the other hand, the offensive rewards that could come from such an acquisition could be worth the gamble. Perhaps a one-year, “prove-it” deal between Jones and the Cardinals could make a ton of sense for both parties in 2022.