It’s not unusual to hear crazy predictions in the preseason. David Johnson and Christian McCaffrey both say they’re gunning for 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving. Every few years some running back will toss out 2,000 yards. But Julio Jones topped them all today.

Jones says he’s got his sights set on 3,000 receiving yards – 1,036 more than Calvin Johnson’s single-season record.

“I’m going crazy,” Jones tells D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.. “I’ve been doing everything that I need to do. I’m taking care of my body. Physically and mentally, I’ll be ready to go.

“I’m not a prediction-type guy, but I might mess around and go three [thousand], you know what I’m talking about.”

I won’t blame Jones for setting his sights high – it’s a victimless crime – but the idea that he’ll even make a serious run at 2,000 yards is unlikely. The Falcons have a lot more receiving talent around him than they’ve had in the past. Mohamed Sanu is an above-average slot receiver, and Calvin Ridley and Austin Hooper are up-and-comers. With Jones-Sanu-Ridley, the Falcons have probably the best receiving trio they’ve ever had.

In NFL history, only 45 wide receivers have gone over 1,500 receiving yards in a season. If Jones can do it again, he’ll match Jerry Rice with the most such seasons in league history. Three others have done three times: Andre Johnson, Marvin Harrison and Antonio Brown (also a candidate to tie Rice).

RECEIVERS REACHING 1,500 YARDS
YearPlayerRecYardsAvgTD
2012Calvin Johnson, Det.1221,96416.15
2015Julio Jones, Atl.1361,87113.88
1995Jerry Rice, S.F.1221,84815.215
2015Antonio Brown, Pitt.1361,83413.510
1995Isaac Bruce, St.L.1191,78115.013
1961Charley Hennigan, Hou.821,74621.312
2002Marvin Harrison, Ind.1431,72212.011
2014Antonio Brown, Pitt.1291,69813.213
2003Torry Holt, St.L.1171,69614.512
1995Herman Moore, Det.1231,68613.714
2011Calvin Johnson, Det.961,68117.516
2018Julio Jones, Atl.1131,67714.88
1999Marvin Harrison, Ind.1151,66314.512
2013Josh Gordon, Clev.871,64618.99
1999Jimmy Smith, Jac.1161,63614.16
2000Torry Holt, St.L.821,63519.96
2003Randy Moss, Min.1111,63214.717
2014Demaryius Thomas, Den.1111,61914.611
1995Michael Irvin, Dall.1111,60314.410
2000Rod Smith, Den.1001,60216.08
1965Lance Alworth, S.D.691,60223.214
2012Andre Johnson, Hou.1121,59814.34
2001David Boston, Ariz.981,59816.38
2014Julio Jones, Atl.1041,59315.36
1997Rob Moore, Ariz.971,58416.38
2008Andre Johnson, Hou.1151,57513.78
2018DeAndre Hopkins, Hou.1151,57213.711
1986Jerry Rice, S.F.861,57018.315
2009Andre Johnson, Hou.1011,56915.59
2011Wes Welker, N.E.1221,56912.99
2005Steve Smith Sr., Car.1031,56315.212
1984Roy Green, St.L.781,55519.912
1964Charley Hennigan, Hou.1011,54615.38
2011Victor Cruz, NYG821,53618.79
2017Antonio Brown, Pitt.1011,53315.29
2001Marvin Harrison, Ind.1091,52414.015
2018Mike Evans, T.B.861,52417.78
1991Michael Irvin, Dall.931,52316.48
2015DeAndre Hopkins, Hou.1111,52113.711
2014Jordy Nelson, G.B.981,51915.513
2007Reggie Wayne, Ind.1041,51014.510
2012Brandon Marshall, Chi.1181,50812.811
1993Jerry Rice, S.F.981,50315.315
2015Brandon Marshall, NYJ1091,50213.814
1990Jerry Rice, S.F.1001,50215.013

—Ian Allan