2020 NFL Draft: Ronald Jones the biggest winner of Day 2

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers passed on J.K. Dobbins in the second. This was an excellent analytical decision for the Bucs and is even better for Ronald Jones.

Ronald Jones has gotten an unfair shake while with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His rookie year left something to be desired and was riddled with injuries, but 2019 saw a new problem emerge.

The organization was very high on Jones at the start of the 2019 preseason, and RoJo earned a starting spot early on in the season. Despite being the “starter,” Jones would often split reps with Peyton Barber at an identical rate.

Jones finished the 2019 season with 172 rushing attempts and Barber; the “backup,” ended with 154. Because this timeshare hamstrung him in the backfield, Jones was displaced from his 1,000 rushing yard pace and only finished with 724.

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Perhaps the stat-watching got the better of the fanbase, but the Buccaneers were closely-linked to a running back since the beginning of the offseason. Tampa Bay needed to add another running back to serve in the role that Peyton Barber held, but a selection in the second round would have been a replacement rather than a supplementary option.

Running backs flew off the board in the second round, but Tampa Bay found themselves face to face with J.K. Dobbins at the 45th overall pick. The Bucs had a chance to take the dominant back from Ohio State, but instead, Tampa Bay made the far better decision of drafting Antoine Winfield Jr.

The Buccaneers have found a safety that is immediately an improvement, but the front office has also put their money where their mouth is by standing behind RoJo.

Tampa Bay spent a second-round pick on Jones back in the 2018 NFL Draft and with good reason. It is apparent that his upside is incredibly high, but the Bucs would never be able to get the most out of Jones if they don’t give him a chance in the featured role.

Jones had a much improved 2019 season, and his stats with 172 carries are comparable to most of the top backs in the NFL. RoJo also has a high ceiling in the screen game, averaging 10 yards per reception in 2019 with 309 receiving yards.

The addition go Ke’Shawn Vaughn is interesting, but it is clear that he will play in the second role that Barber previously held, but as a more true backup. Vaughn will be a good change of pace option, but will likely not challenge for the starting job.

The Buccaneers have their RB1 in Ronald Jones, and the selections made tonight back that up. Look for RoJo to have a career season in 2020 on one of the best offenses in the NFL.