Buccaneers roster full of Pro Football Focus standouts

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TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Ronald Jones #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers returns a kick during a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

3. RB Ronald Jones

The highest graded running back in the entire NFL through the first quarter of the regular season according to PFF? Ronald Jones. After the worst imaginable rookie season, Jones has burst onto the scene for the Buccaneers and is making the case that he deserves to be named the starting running back over Peyton Barber.

Out-touching Barber 20 to just nine against the Rams, it looks like Jones is slowly taking over the workload for the Buccaneers. Finishing the game with 82 total yards and a touchdown, Jones showed elite speed and quickness that showed why the Buccaneers used a second round pick on him last year.

On pace for 936 yards, Jones could hit the 1,000 yard mark this season if the Buccaneers start to give him the carries that he deserves. Through the first four games of the season, Jones has a PFF grade of 88.0, ranking him in the elite echelon of NFL players; how long until Arians, Leftwich, and the Bucs take notice and name him the starter?

Barber is grading out 22 points lower than Jones at an average 66.5, so while the Buc have two solid running backs, it is obvious that the lion’s share needs to go to the former second rounder.

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