Falcons to make Julio Jones the NFL's highest-paid wide receiver

Julio Jones, a wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, is about to become the NFL's highest-paid receiver as the Falcons are on the verge of giving him a four- or five-year contract extension, Mike Freeman of the Bleacher Report reported on Friday.

So far, the biggest deal for a wide receiver was for Odell Beckham Jr. who signed a five-year, 90 million-dollar contract with the New York Giants before he was traded to the Cleveland Browns. If the deal is done between Jones and the Falcons, he will surpass OBJ, as Atlanta will pay him 20 million U.S. dollars each year with his new contract, of which about 50 to 60 million U.S. dollars is guaranteed.

If Jones gets a five-year extension, he will be the league's second 100 million U.S. dollar receiver after Larry Fitzgerald who singed an eight-year, 150-million-dollar deal with the Arizona Cardinals in 2011.

Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons scores a touchdown in front of Josh Jackson #37 of the Green Bay Packers during the first half of a game at Lambeau Field, December 9, 2018. /VCG Photo 

However, even with that number, Jones still won't be able to make the top 10 best-paid active players in the NFL. His teammate and salary leader Matt Ryan (150 million), Khalil Mack (141 million), Jimmy Garoppolo (137.5 million), Matthew Stafford (135 million), Derek Carr (125 million) and others enjoy way more lucrative deals. 100-million-dollar is about the 12th best, tying J.J. Watt.

Jones deserved a good deal. He played at least 14 games in six of the past seasons, was selected to the Pro Bowl six times and made first-team and second-team All-Pro both twice. In the past five years, Jones has an average of 105 receptions, 1,599 yards and six touchdowns per season.