Julio Jones recently retired from the NFL after one of the more impressive and dominant stretches of play in league history. A dynamic receiver blessed with incredible size, speed, strength, and instincts, Jones was a star from the moment he stepped foot on campus at Alabama. 

But when Jones was finished at Alabama and entered the NFL draft, it wasn't clear as to whether he'd be selected over AJ Green. Both were elite prospects in an all-time class, but it was hard to split hairs between them. 

Ultimately, the role Nick Saban played ended up being a significant one. Saban proved to be one of the most respected evaluators and coaches in football history throughout his historic run at Alabama. When general managers asked his opinion on players, they heeded his advice and experience.

The Atlanta Falcons made one of the biggest draft-day trades in league history when they moved up from the 27th overall pick to No. 6 overall for Jones. According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, Falcons general manager Thomas Dmitroff was happy to get either receiver, but Saban's words about Jones gave him the edge.

Saban described Jones as "unaffected" by anything going on around him and that his even-keeled and reliable nature is what made him special as a person. "While the Falcons were comfortable taking either Jones or A.J. Green in a trade up, it was Jones they wanted, because his hard-edged style coming out of Saban’s program perfectly fit what they were trying to build," Breer wrote.

“The combination of size, speed and pure athleticism was very rare,” Dimitroff said Saturday. “When I watch a receiver, a corner, a pass rusher, it’s what you’re looking for. I looked at Julio, the route running, the stop/start ability, how he adjusts to coverage, how he creates separation, how he adjusts to the ball. He moved around, at 6'3", like he was 5'11". Watching him, I was like, This cat is outrageous.”

Jones is considered one of the most influential wide receivers in the NFL in recent years. His football career began at the University of Alabama, where he played from 2008 to 2010. As a freshman, he quickly made his mark by becoming the first true freshman wide receiver to start a season opener for the Crimson Tide. 

Throughout his three-year college career, he tallied 179 receptions for 2,653 yards and 15 touchdowns. He played a pivotal role in leading Alabama to a national championship in the 2009 season, showcasing a blend of size, speed, and physical play.

After his junior year, Jones declared for the NFL Draft and was picked sixth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2011. The Falcons made a notable trade to secure his selection, reflecting their high regard for his talent. 

Jones made an immediate impact in the NFL, finishing his rookie season with 959 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. Over the next ten years, he consistently established himself as one of the league’s most dynamic and reliable receivers.

Statistically, Jones had an impressive career with the Falcons. Between 2014 and 2019, he enjoyed six consecutive seasons with over 1,300 receiving yards. His standout season occurred in 2015 when he topped the NFL with 136 receptions and amassed 1,871 yards, which at the time stood as the second-highest receiving yards in a single season in NFL history. 

He also made his mark in Super Bowl LI, catching 4 passes for 87 yards, including a remarkable sideline catch that remains one of the most memorable in Super Bowl history, even though the Falcons fell short in overtime.

By the conclusion of his tenure in Atlanta, Jones had accumulated over 12,000 receiving yards and 60 touchdowns with the franchise. He became the all-time leader in receiving yards for the Falcons and earned seven Pro Bowl selections, along with being named First-Team All-Pro twice. 

Renowned for his exceptional route-running, reliable hands, and capacity to make tough catches, Jones posed a significant challenge for defenders throughout his prime.

Later in his career, injuries began to affect his performance, leading to his trade to the Tennessee Titans in 2021. Although his production diminished after leaving Atlanta, his influence on the game continues to be recognized. 

Jones is widely acknowledged as one of the premier wide receivers of his generation and is viewed as a likely future Hall of Famer.