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NFC South Q&A: Is Julio Jones the division's pre-eminent playmaker?

Today's question: Is Julio Jones, who set an Atlanta Falcons record with 1,593 receiving yards last season, the most dangerous offensive playmaker in the NFC South?

David Newton, Carolina Panthers: Jones is without a doubt the most dangerous receiver in the division. But when you consider the most dangerous overall, I'm going with a player who touches the ball on every offensive snap. I'm picking Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, because he can defeat you with his arm and legs. He can change what opposing defenses do because of his versatility. Jones isn't consistently dangerous when it's third-and-1 or fourth-and-1. Newton is, almost to the point of being automatic. Jones isn't consistently dangerous when quarterback Matt Ryan is under tremendous pressure, unless Ryan gets away. Newton often turns negative plays into big ones. Newton has 82 touchdowns passing and 33 rushing in four seasons. Jones has 26 receiving and none rushing during that span. As great as Jones is, Newton is far more dangerous.

Mike Triplett, New Orleans Saints: Yes, hands down. The better question is where Jones ranks among all eight divisions, where you could still make a decent case for him at No. 1. I was already sold on Jones before his ridiculous 259-yard display against the Packers on "Monday Night Football" last season -- with a hip injury, no less. Jones is the first player who pops into my head every year when I mull the Saints' chances of winning the division, because I think he makes Atlanta their biggest threat. Jones has caught more balls against the Saints (40) than any other player since 2011, according to ESPN Stats & Information. They have done a decent job against him, holding him to 559 yards and just two touchdowns in a total of seven games. But the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Jones is a big reason why New Orleans has invested so heavily in its secondary over the past three years.

Pat Yasinskas, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jones isn't just the most dangerous playmaker in the NFC South. He's the division's best player. The Falcons struggled in many areas last season, but Jones still thrived. One statistic in particular jumps out at me: Jones had 76 catches that went for first downs. Only Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown (85) had more. That shows Jones makes things happen when he makes a catch. Jones is putting up big numbers despite drawing a lot of attention from defenses. Roddy White is aging, so defenses are doubling up on Jones more than ever. That doesn't stop him. On third downs last season, everyone knew he was the first target and he still produced 28 catches. A few years back, Jones had White, Tony Gonzalez and Michael Turner to take the defensive pressure off him. Now, he's pretty much a one-man show and he's producing bigger numbers than ever.