It’s Ronald Jones, II, In Round 2
April 27th, 2018
The college running back most Bucs fans were not chatting about over beers was Ronald Jones II, and it’s only because he played 3,000 miles away at the University of Southern California.
That’s just how it is around SEC Country.
Jones is a game-breaker, a slasher type who also runs between the tackles. USC pounded him last year with 261 carries and he responded with 1,550 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground. (You can see all those TDs in the video below.)
In fact, Jones averaged 6.1 yards per carry through 591 college carries as a Trojan who was ready as a true freshman. The young man is just 20 years old.
Jones picked up unwanted notoriety when he pulled up with a hamstring issue during his 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine five weeks ago. But at his Pro Day, Jones ran a strong 4.48 time in the 40, though it’s unclear whether his hamstring was even 100 percent ready.
Joe sees Jones as an excellent complement to Peyton Barber. If the Bucs really believe in Barber (and Joe thinks they do), then it’s likely Tampa Bay has Jones as the No. 2 running back on their board after Saquon Barkley.
Former NFL team scout turned NFL Network year-round draft guru Daniel Jeremiah ranked Jones as the 20th best overall player in the the draft and calls him one of the most “explosive” players available.
“Jones is a threat to score every time he touches the ball and I love his toughness and upside in the passing game,” Jeremiah wrote.
Joe advises you to remember how much the Bucs talked about getting “explosive” last offseason, hence the signing of DeSean Jackson and then the drafting of O.J. Howard. But did the Bucs actually get more explosive in their performance?
Perhaps Jones completes their puzzle.
Ronald Jones' 20 TDs in 2017
(@rojo)pic.twitter.com/puw34NXp8o— 2024 NFL Draft (@DraftRT) March 2, 2018
April 27th, 2018 at 7:37 pm
YESSSS!!!!! All about Jones II!
April 27th, 2018 at 7:38 pm
Does this mean no more Joe screaming for a RB every year now?
April 27th, 2018 at 7:39 pm
Coach koetter will utilise this young fella to its full potential.
April 27th, 2018 at 7:40 pm
NO NO NO NO..
April 27th, 2018 at 7:40 pm
Love explosive. This offense should be fun to watch. Now if we can pick up a starting guard.
April 27th, 2018 at 7:40 pm
Matt Kelly is not impressed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1m2vVxWrlU
April 27th, 2018 at 7:40 pm
Why Jones over Guice??
April 27th, 2018 at 7:41 pm
Jones ranked 29 on his board.
Geuce was much higher. Something has teams scared of geuce.
April 27th, 2018 at 7:41 pm
I like it.
How many teams used favorable talk about Guice as a smokescreen?
April 27th, 2018 at 7:42 pm
Love it
April 27th, 2018 at 7:42 pm
Kid is a total stud. SC did not have a great O line. Great pick. So far Light is at least an “A” for this draft. No kickers or back up snappers please!
April 27th, 2018 at 7:42 pm
Don’t like this pick. I would have preferred a much more physical runner with an “edge.”
April 27th, 2018 at 7:43 pm
I be the rare Trojan and Bucs fan so I approve this pick!
April 27th, 2018 at 7:43 pm
This guy is gonna be a TD machine! Great pick!
April 27th, 2018 at 7:43 pm
Seems to be in the mold of Dalvin Cook. Sounds like the Bucs did want to draft him in the second round last year, so they tried to rectify that this year.
April 27th, 2018 at 7:43 pm
Great pick. I am very happy.
April 27th, 2018 at 7:44 pm
Now let’s package a 3rd and 4th to move up and get Josh Jackson.
April 27th, 2018 at 7:44 pm
Looks legit to me.
April 27th, 2018 at 7:45 pm
Now let’s package a 2nd and 4th to move up and get Josh Jackson.
April 27th, 2018 at 7:45 pm
Bird… I think more and more teams are sensitive to character issues.
April 27th, 2018 at 7:46 pm
He looks like a Barkley running style. Agree with Joe he this speedy jukester will go well with Peyton Barber. Nice pick. And can finally stop talking about the RB BS.
April 27th, 2018 at 7:48 pm
love it
April 27th, 2018 at 7:48 pm
Geis has character concerns and knee concerns according to Mike Mayock
April 27th, 2018 at 7:49 pm
Guice hurt himself by telling three different stories about questions he was asked during the interview process, if I’m a team, that would give me pause too
April 27th, 2018 at 7:49 pm
Guice just came out with a bunch of made up accusations, or made up questions teams were asking him at combine. Already has a rap as very immature. Thats why be is sliding. Ronald Jones is high character and very good. Great pick.
April 27th, 2018 at 7:54 pm
How come everyone we have drafted so far blew hamstrings running a 40 yd dash? Good pick up we needed a running back in that spot may not be the last we take this round either. Im looking for a speedy edge rusher to be the next pick
April 27th, 2018 at 8:04 pm
Lame pick. I hope I’m wrong. Go Bucs.
April 27th, 2018 at 8:06 pm
As a Buc’s fan, read FANATIC, I am elated with our draft so far!
Mount Vea and RoJo III!!!
Actually, there were other scenarios I would have been just as happy with. These guys have both been on my radar for some time now.
Now, Josh Jackson or Isaiah Oliver or Carlton Davis. Scratch Jackson as he was just taken.
__________
Go Bucs!!!
April 27th, 2018 at 8:10 pm
good pick!
April 27th, 2018 at 8:11 pm
USC running backs have not been good since Marcus Allen!!!!
April 27th, 2018 at 8:19 pm
And so what if Jones is the next coming of Marcus Allen? Let’s watch him play a bit before we pass judgement.
I hope we use Barber to pound it…he’s 25 lbs heavier than Jones. Share the workload and these two could become a dynamic tandem.
April 27th, 2018 at 8:23 pm
Solid pick, great complimentary skill set to what we have – Sims signing is injury insurance, top 3 RB are in place now
April 27th, 2018 at 8:26 pm
But our coaches will try to make him a passing back. If we don’t run them it don’t matter how good they can be . We pass to much that’s the problem with most of the bad teams in the NFL. We need 30 carries from the running game to win. Help the quarter back make it a team game not a Winston game….. That’s what football is all about not just quarter back!!!!!
April 27th, 2018 at 8:29 pm
Football never changed . A good defense n running game win super bowls plan n simple!!!!!!!
April 27th, 2018 at 8:31 pm
Bucs go All-Pac12 Draft! Let’s grab a CB from Colorado.
April 27th, 2018 at 8:34 pm
@Mark2001 you are absolutely right.
April 27th, 2018 at 8:36 pm
Hope he can turn those corners here too!
April 27th, 2018 at 8:56 pm
I hope I’m wrong, but don’t like this pick. Soft, can’t catch or block and didn’t play well in big games against TX, OSU or ND. Other than that he looks OK.
April 27th, 2018 at 9:05 pm
GREAT PICK!
But, I hate the MJ Stewart pick … unless they plan to play him at safety … he’s short and slow for the CB position.
Again, I LOVE THE ROJO II PICK THOUGH!
April 27th, 2018 at 9:56 pm
Jones will be a great spell for Barber. I was hoping we would land this guy.
April 28th, 2018 at 7:42 am
Instincts and speed look good on tape. Very good vision finding the spaces. Only improvement it appears for him to make is to increase his lower body strength, legs look a little thin for NFL backs, bulk up a little to make it tougher to pull him down. The talent is there, just needs to get some more weight/muscle mass in upper legs. At 215 or 220 this guy will be better suited for NFL contact.