NFL PLAYER NEWS

Falcons sign WR Jones to extension

The Sports Xchange

August 29, 2015 at 7:31 pm.

Julio Jones (11) is a load for a defensive back to bring down in the open field. (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)

Julio Jones (11) is a load for a defensive back to bring down in the open field. (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)

The Atlanta Falcons announced Saturday they have agreed to terms with wide receiver Julio Jones on a five-year contract extension.

Jones is coming off one of the best years of his young career. In 15 starts in 2014, he recorded 104 catches and 1,593 receiving yards, which broke the Falcons single-season franchise record. He also finished second on the team in touchdown catches with six scores, and earned his second Pro Bowl appearance in his four-year career.

“We could not be more thrilled to make Julio a Falcon for life,” said Falcons owner and chairman Arthur Blank. “Julio has established himself as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL during his career and has already set the franchise record for receiving yards in a season. I am extremely proud of what he has accomplished and he has just begun to scratch the surface in terms of his potential.”

In a total of 49 games, Jones has established himself as one of the league’s most dominant receivers. He has recorded 278 receptions, and his 4,330 receiving yards are the seventh highest all-time among wide receivers that have played at least four years in the NFL.

Jones has also averaged 15.6 yards per catch and 88.4 receiving yards per game, which is currently an NFL-best career mark, along with 26 touchdowns during his four-year career.

The 26-year old was selected by the Falcons in the first round with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.