FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons middle linebacker Deion Jones couldn't help but laugh while talking about changing up his diet.

Coach Dan Quinn said he wants Jones to put on 5 to 6 pounds going into the 2017 season. So a couple weeks ago, Jones started following a game plan put together by the team nutritionist.

“It's a grind, so I have to eat right and I have to eat more,” Jones told ESPN. ”I eat a lot, but I just feel it hasn't been all the right stuff.”

So what does Jones need to cut out of his diet?

“The junk food,” he said with a smile. “I can't totally cut out the candy, but I can cut out everything else. I love Skittles and I love Haribo gummy bears. I gotta have them.”

Just having them in moderation should help Jones achieve a healthier balance going into his second season. He didn't speak specifically about what type of foods he's been instructed to consume more of, but Jones is willing to be a lot stricter with his choices.

“More solid meals, and just not snacking all the time,” Jones said. “I've got to grow up.”

Jones matured into quite the player from the moment he arrived as a second-round pick last year. He led all rookies with 106 combined tackles and finished third in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting behind winner Joey Bosa of San Diego and Jalen Ramsey of Jacksonville. But as much as Jones thrived, there were moments when his size couldn't stand up to the physicality of bigger blockers. His blazing speed couldn't always bail him out.

Jones, who stands 6 feet, 1 inch, currently weighs 226 pounds. The heaviest he's played at in recent years was 232 while in college at LSU. He weighed 222 pounds at last year's NFL combine before being drafted.

“I always talked to [linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich] and I told him I didn't feel comfortable there,” Jones said of being in the 230s. “I've been big before. But I guess it just wasn't the right weight. I didn't feel like I moved as well back when I was that heavy. So I was like, `Nah, I'm not feeling that.'

“But now, it's more of me trying to find a way to get [that weight] without all the junk. In college, you can put on weight easily with pizza, candy, and eating ice cream late. To play on that, it's tough.”

Jones believes his new diet will help him put on the weight and play in the 230s without feeling sluggish, and without losing his signature speed.

Quinn talked about his vision for a heavier Jones.

“I just think he plays so hard, I want to make sure he has enough in the tank in his size with the tackling,” Quinn said. “He can run all day. That shows. He's able to go. It's not going to be a lot [of weight], but I feel like it has to be enough to where I feel like he's at his strongest. It's not going to be like, `Hey, gain 15.' Then you can't cover nobody.

“It's hard gain, good weight. So for him, I do want him to gain some.”