3 Most Likely Free-Agent Destinations for Julio Jones Following 2022 NFL Draft

The free-agent market cooled down in the month of April as NFL teams prepared for the 2022 Draft. Now that all of the prospects have been added to rosters, things should start heating back up again. Veteran wide receiver Julio Jones is hoping he can still be of use to a team in need of outside depth.

The seven-time Pro Bowler may be coming off an injury-riddled season, but he averages 15.2 yards per reception in his career and has led the NFL in receiving yards twice. That is the kind of player coaching staffs want on their roster, so let's take a look at three of the most likely landing spots for Jones.

Julio Jones Free Agency

1. Indianapolis Colts

While a reunion with the Atlanta Falcons seems like a stretch at this point, seeing Jones team up with his former quarterback Matt Ryan makes a lot of sense. The chemistry between the two All-Pro talents is undeniable and Ryan has a knack for putting the ball where only Julio can get it. Michael Pittman Jr. ranks atop a Colts WR depth chart that is filled with unproven players like 2022 second-round pick Alec Pierce. Throwing Jones into the mix would provide a mentor to lean on and it would improve Indianapolis' passing attack at the same time.

2. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens made an unexpected move by trading away Marquise Brown during the first round of this year's NFL Draft. He was fresh off a 1,000-yard season and starting to build a budding connection with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Baltimore now has zero receivers on the roster that have ever posted more than 520 yards in a season. Jones has had some health issues over the last two seasons and could benefit from playing in a run-first offensive scheme. It would allow him to reserve his energy for when it matters the most on a team that has a legitimate opportunity to win the Super Bowl.

3. Cleveland Browns

The departures of long-time starters Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. were made up for in part to the addition of Amari Cooper this offseason. That doesn't mean the Browns are ready to be an elite team under new quarterback Deshaun Watson, though. No. 2 option Donovan Peoples-Jones has never posted more than 600 yards in a season and Anthony Schwartz relies solely on his speed to get open. Jones could be the deep threat this offense is missing. Signing the 33-year-old would be one way for head coach Kevin Stefanski to keep pace in a tough AFC North division.

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.