Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Update: Ronald Jones, RB TB

Editor’s Note: To help you dominate your rookie drafts, this series will feature a look at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of over 40 dynasty rookie draft prospects and run all through the month of May and even into June. We’ll cover all the premier prospects but also give you critical information on some of the lesser known talents. All of these rookie updates will be loaded into our ever-evolving 2018 Rookie Draft Guide – the ultimate resource for dynasty enthusiasts all over the world.

Name: Ronald Jones

Position: Running Back

Pro Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

College Team: USC

Draft Status: Round two, 38th overall

Be sure to keep checking our Complete Dynasty Rookie Rankings for constantly updated rookie values!

Video Clip

Combine Review

  • Height: 5’11″
  • Weight: 205 lbs
  • Hands: 8 3/4″
  • Arm Length: 31 1/8″
  • 40-yard dash: 4.65 seconds*
  • Three-cone drill: N/A
  • 20-yard shuttle: N/A
  • Vertical Jump: 36.5
  • Broad Jump: N/A

*Jones pulled up with an injured hamstring when he ran his 40-yard dash during the Combine but ran a 4.48 40-yard dash during his Pro Day.

Strengths

  • Has elite speed and acceleration that he utilizes to off-balance and split defenders at the angle of attack. Plenty of times, you will see a defender take an angle at Jones and be left out of position as Jones breaks off a long run.
  • Very fluid hips and quick feet. Able to quickly start, stop, change direction and accelerate to make long gains. Has a lethal jump cut that unbalances defenders.
  • Very good balance for a runner of his size. While not a power back, he is able to slip arm tackles with ease. Keeps his feet moving and gains extra yardage after first contact.
  • Has the ability to change up the tempo in his stride to unbalance defenders and then to attack them with his elite acceleration and speed. Can carve up defenders with his start-stop ability.
  • Good ball security. He fumbled only twice over 591 carries.

Weaknesses

[am4show have=’g1;’ guest_error=’sub_message’ user_error=’sub_message’ ]

  • Has issues with his size during pass protection. At times gets easily blown backward by the attacking linebacker. Is very lean for his listed weight.
  • Inconsistent when running between the tackles; has the ability to slip the creases but misses lanes at times and will attempt to find runs that aren’t there.
  • Takes far too many big hits for his frame when trying to fight for extra yards.

Opportunities

Ronald Jones walks into the Buccaneers running back room as the clear cut starter for the team. His main competition is the diminutive Jacquizz Rodgers, and the duo of Charles Sims and Peyton Barber who will likely compete as the short-yardage and goal-line back.

With Doug Martin heading off to the Raiders, he vacates 287 snaps on offense and 138 carries in the run game. Look for Jones to siphon off snaps and carries from the other backs on the team as he becomes the lead back.

Threats

Early in his career, Jones might lose some carries to the trio already on the depth chart, but a majority of the snaps should be headed easily in his direction. One of my worries is that his slender build won’t hold up to the rigors of being a lead back in the NFL. This, combined with his tendency to leave himself open for big hits, could lead to nagging injuries or worse games missed.

Short-term Expectations

Jones is not the complete three-down back that he is mistakenly portrayed as by some fantasy analysts. USC back and devy target Stephen Carr served primarily as the pass catching this past season for the Trojans. This isn’t a knock-on Jones but Charles Sims has served well for the Buccaneers in this role.

Given Jones’ size, I wouldn’t be surprised if the team tries to pace him and limit his touches in hopes that they keep him fresh for the season.

Long-term Expectations

Jones was the fifth running back taken in what many consider one of the best draft classes in years. The Buccaneers targeted Ronald Jones over Derrius Guice who many feel is a more talented back.

Jacquizz Rodgers, Peyton Barber and Charles Sims all have contracts that expire at the end of the 2018 season. Both Barber and Rodgers can be cut at any time with no dead money hitting the cap.

NFL Comparison

NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah, who lists Jones as his fourthranked running back in the class, compares him to Jamaal Charles:

“He has tackle-breaking power as a result of his lower-leg drive and he mixes in a violent stiff arm.”

Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller stated that Jones could be an immediate producer and even be in the running for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Projected Range for a Rookie Draft

The Buccaneers used high draft capital to snag Jones and, if you want him on your squads, you can expect to do the same. Rookie Dynasty ADP here at DLF has seen Jones drop from pick 1.05 in February to pick 1.07 April, dropping one pick each month before the NFL Draft. This drop was expected after he came up injured in the NFL draft. Post-NFL Draft, I think fantasy players will see him go anywhere from the 1.02 to no later than the 1.05.

With a prime landing spot, folks should expect him to start to climb over Nick Chubb and possibly a few of the other running backs he was taken in front of in the NFL Draft. Owners are expecting big things from Jones in 2018 and will have to pay up to get their guy.

[/am4show]

peter lawrence