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According to reports, the Atlanta Falcons are set to trade former Pro Bowl linebacker Deion Jones to the Cleveland Browns. The AFC-North team will be sending a 2024 NFL Draft sixth-round selection to Atlanta for Jones and a 2024 seventh-round pick, as per NFL Ian Rapoport.
Jones has been a 2017 Pro Bowler for the Falcons, but the 27-year-old hasn’t yet played this year as he was placed on the injured reserve list before the start of the season as he underwent an offseason shoulder surgery.
Ian Rapoport’s report stated, “Sources: The #Browns are adding some key help in the middle of their defence, trading for #Falcons Pro Bowl LB Deion Jones in exchange for late-round draft compensation.”
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As part of the trade, the Falcons will take on a dead-cap hit of $12.14 million in 2023, according to NFL Media as Jones still has two seasons remaining on the four-year, $57M extension. The Browns are set to sell him roughly for $1.39M for the remainder year, plus up to $320K in incentives for games played. Atlanta still saves roughly $22M from 2022-24 by parting ways with Jones, who's missed the first five games while being on injured reserve list.
Jones underwent shoulder surgery in May leading him to miss most of the training camp. This also presented him with a limited role at the end of the preseason. Since then, the Falcons have been repeatedly trying to trade him. The Athletic also reported that the trade was also made citing concerns about his attitude and work ethic.
Jones has been a productive starter as he registered 100 tackles in all five seasons where he has played at least 15 games. His best run came during the 2016-17 season when he made a case for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and had a combined 14 tackles for loss, six interceptions and two touchdowns.
