There is a feeling among many fans that Buccaneer Ronald Jones is an average running back at best. They are in for a big surprise in 2020.
So, you clicked on the article after you read the title thinking, ”let’s see what this fool talking about Ronald Jones dis oing”. No shame in that, but let’s continue, you clicked it so here we go.
How many of you knew that two years ago before the draft, Buccaneer Ronald Jones II was widely considered the second best back available in the whole thing? Well, he was and for very good reason.
As we all know, ‘it’ happens and ‘it’ certainly did to Jones.
He had been battling a hamstring injury heading into the combine, but had hoped it was behind him. During the 2018 combine 40-attempt, he pulled up aggravating the injury.
He posted only a 4.65, clearly a lot slower than he can actually do when healthy. He didn’t run his second allowed attempt, and was only able to do the vertical leap. In that, he was able to hit 36.5″ with the injury, which placed him sixth in the class.
Later with the injury for the most part healed, he ran a 4.48 at USC’s Pro-day. Quite a difference, but for the most part, his chances of sneaking into round one were already gone.
If there is one thing I have learned. People/fans don’t see players the same. You can have ten gals/guys watch a player during a game. Afterwards ask them to evaluate the play and potential of that player, and you likely will get 10 different thoughts.
Since I’m writing this, we will go with my thoughts, and you can take it from there. When I watched Jones this past season, I saw an extremely explosive, and elusive running back.
I watched him show that he could take it to the house on any play, from anywhere. In addition, he showed that when the play called for a strong, powerful back that’s hard to bring down, he had the ability to be that guy.
Ronald Jones showed that he can be a franchise back for years to come barring severe injury. He has more than enough individual talent that if he was given a better offensive line, and more carries/touches, that he could really blow up.