Buccaneers among betting favorites to land future Hall of Fame receiver

Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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If betting odds are to be believed, then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look like they are in a prime position to bring in a Canton-bound wide receiver who spent the majority, and prime, of his career as a division rival to the Buccaneers.

It’s no secret that Julio Jones is just a tad past his prime, but what a prime it was. There were many times Jones looked like a man amongst boys on the field (with the Bucs being the boys on multiple occasions) and will no doubt see his head carved into a bust in Canton when it’s all said and done as a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

That said, Jones still remains a free agent after numerous injuries, and his production leaving much to be desired when he was actually on the field. He may not be the deadly number one wide out of yesteryear anymore, but he could still help teams as an alternate option in the passing game.

The Buccaneers appear to be one such team.

According to the oddsmakers at SportsLine, the Bucs have the third-best odds to sign Jones at +500. They trail only the Green Bay Packers at +400 and current betting favorite Indianapolis Colts at +300.

Jones would thrive the most in Tampa Bay since he would be a part of a roster that already contains Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Russell Gage, and a crowded tight end room (with or without Rob Gronkowski) so he would be far from the first option which benefits both sides with his age.

Oh yeah, and Tom Brady would be throwing him the ball should he come to the Buccaneers. So there’s also that.

For those keeping score at home, the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots at +700, Dallas Cowboys at +800, Baltimore Ravens at +900, Kansas City Chiefs at +1000, and a return to the Atlanta Falcons at +2000 round out the list.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signing Julio Jones may have once seemed like a longshot, or even unnecessary, but with these odds, it shows that anything is possible in the NFL.

Next. More on the tight ends. dark