American · Foley, Alabama · Born 8 February 1989American wide receiver who played 11 NFL seasons, known for elite route-running and being one of the most dominant receivers of the 2010s decade
Julio Jones was born in Foley, Alabama in 1989 and attended the University of Alabama. Atlanta Falcons selected him sixth overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, trading up from 27th to acquire him — a deal that cost them five picks including two first-rounders. His 11-season career produced 13,330 receiving yards — averaging 96.9 yards per game across his career — and seven Pro Bowl appearances. He led the league in receiving yards three times. In the 2016 season he accumulated 1,409 receiving yards while missing two games — one of the finest wide receiver seasons in recent NFL history. He was the centrepiece of Matt Ryan's offence that reached Super Bowl LI — a game the Falcons infamously lost from 28-3 up. At 6ft 3in with elite speed and exceptional route-running, he combined size and athleticism in a manner that defensive coordinators struggled to counter. He averaged over 7 yards per target across his career — among the highest in NFL history for a player with that volume of targets. Persistent hamstring injuries derailed his final seasons. He was considered the premier wide receiver in the NFL for a five-year period from approximately 2014 to 2019.
Elite route running, consistent 1,000+ yard seasons, and being one of the most reliable receivers in NFL history
How They Played
Precise route runner with excellent hands, ability to create separation, and strong performance in traffic
Lasting Impact
Considered one of the greatest wide receivers of the 2010s era with exceptional consistency and professionalism
Career Honours
- Pro Bowl 7x
- All-Pro 2x
- NFL receiving yards leader 3x
| Team | Period | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | 2011–2020 | 113 |
| Tennessee Titans | 2021–2022 | 19 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2023–2023 | 12 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2023–2023 | 12 |
American Athletes