Ronald Jones

Ronald Jones

26-Year-Old Running BackRB
 Free Agent  
Free Agent
2023 Fantasy Outlook
The Chiefs signed Jones to a one-year, mostly guaranteed contract in 2021, but by the time training camp arrived they lost interest and hitched their wagon to Isiah Pacheco, who they barely cared enough to draft in the first place (seventh round, 251st overall). Jones has played well enough in the NFL to contribute to some team, if only as a rushing specialist, and entering his sixth season he's not even a full year older than the second-year Malik Davis, his main competition for the backup role to Tony Pollard. Jones' career rushing output is at least decent -- 2,244 yards and 19 touchdowns on 505 carries (4.4 YPC) -- and Jones was a much better prospect than Davis. Rookie sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn, meanwhile, doesn't figure to get many carries up the middle given that he's 5-5, 179. Jones has underachieved, but he has a nice opportunity here, especially since Pollard is an adept pass catcher who could use a rushing specialist to provide relief. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
$Released by the Cowboys in September of 2023.
Reinstated, then released
RBFree Agent
September 18, 2023
Jones was reinstated from suspension Monday before his contract was terminated by Dallas, Howard Balzer of GoPHNX.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Jones would have been eligible to join Dallas' active roster after completing a two-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy, but the Cowboys elected to release him instead. It's possible that the veteran running back joins the team's practice squad, or he could look for an opportunity elsewhere.
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
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2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2023 NFL Game Log
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2022 NFL Game Log
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Ronald Jones lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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2023 Ronald Jones Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Ronald Jones' measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 11"
 
Weight
208 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.65 sec
 
Vertical Jump
36.5 in
 
Hand Length
8.75 in
 
Arm Length
31.13 in
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Ronald Jones See More
Box Score Breakdown: Snaps, Routes, Air Yards and Personnel from Week 2
192 days ago
The Rams remain the center of the fantasy universe as RotoWire's Jerry Donabedian takes his weekly look at playing time, usage and personnel from every Week 2 contest.
Best Ball Strategy: Preseason Buy or Sell on Underdog
213 days ago
Rico Dowdle might be ahead of Malik Davis on the Dallas depth chart, but that doesn't make Dowdle the handcuff to Tony Pollard.
Job Battles: RB Competition Roundup
216 days ago
The Colts have three competent running back options if Jonathan Taylor isn't around, making for a fierce competition between Deon Jackson, Evan Hull and Zack Moss.
Training Camp Notes: Aug. 13
228 days ago
Erik Siegrist covers Sunday's news out of camps and preseason action, as the Dolphins tread lightly with Jaylen Waddle's abdominal injury.
Training Camp Notes: Aug. 12
229 days ago
News continues to churn out of training camps, including in Seattle where Kenneth Walker returned to practice Saturday.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
After a career campaign in 2020, it was widely assumed Jones would at least get a chance to win a bigger role with the Buccaneers last year. Instead, he got stuck on the bench behind Leonard Fournette, getting double-digit carries once in the first 15 weeks of the season. A Fournette hamstring injury opened the starting job for Jones in Week 16, but after a solid performance against the Panthers, he got hurt himself the following week and his Tampa Bay tenure ended with a whimper. Jones has shown during his time in the NFL that he can make a splash as a runner thanks to a blend of speed, elusiveness and burst, but he's also been plagued by drops and fumbles and seemed to fall in and out of favor with former Bucs coach Bruce Arians. It'll be a new look for Jones this season, joining a Chiefs backfield led by Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the 2020 first-round pick who has nearly as many missed games (10) as touchdowns (11) through two seasons. Jones' lack of receiving skill limits his upside, but he could prove more effective than Edwards-Helaire as a runner if he gets the chance. First, Jones will need to secure a role, competing with Jerick McKinnon and rookie Isiah Pacheco.
Jones' 2020 season was a roller coaster, but it ended with a ring so he probably has few complaints. He spent most of training camp expecting to be the starter, but then Leonard Fournette got scooped up after being waived by the Jaguars, and the 23-year-old suddenly found himself with real competition for snaps. Jones still had good stretches, including three consecutive 100-yard games Weeks 4-6 and a 192-yard display of dominance against the Panthers in Week 10, but he also had fewer than 50 total yards in five of his 14 regular-season games. Then, in the playoffs, Jones missed the wild card-round with a hip injury and worked behind a red-hot Fournette for the following three games. That doesn't necessarily mean Fournette will be the starter this year, but he's at least earned his shot to compete for the role this summer. Additionally, the Bucs signed Giovani Bernard as a potential passing-down specialist, and they still have 2020 third-round pick Ke'Shawn Vaughn hoping to earn some kind of role. Jones is probably the best pure runner of the bunch, but he's not especially good as a pass catcher or blocker, which has landed him in Bruce Arians' doghouse a few times the last couple years. While a full year in the top role could lead to a 1,000-yard rushing campaign with frequent TDs, Jones is also at risk of becoming a backup, be it in September or later in the year.
Free of the tyranny of Dirk Koetter's whims, Jones put together a solid second season that both highlighted his upside and made clear his limitations. Jones wasn't officially named the starter by new coach Bruce Arians until Week 10 last season, but he was productive when he got the touches, showing improved ability as a receiver and using his speed, burst and elusiveness to make defenses pay if they didn't wrap him up quickly. His broken tackle rate - one every 7.5 carries - ranked fifth among qualified rushers, and his 2.4 after-contact average was 13th. His blocking remained poor, however, and he was often replaced by Dare Ogunbowale on passing downs, a serious issue in an offense where it seemed like every down was a passing down. Jones stood atop the depth chart throughout training camp and never seemed to face real challenge from third-round pick Ke'Shawn Vaughn, but things got dicey in early September when the Bucs brought in Leonard Fournette. The Bucs figure to start the season utilizing a committee, one where Jones may or may not be the lead guy.
A second-round pick out of USC, Jones didn't get on the field until Week 4 of his rookie season and didn't get a carry after Week 13, as coach Dirk Koetter kept using Peyton Barber as his lead back even after a playoff spot was out of reach. Jones' final numbers were abysmal - not surprising given his inconsistent workload - but new coach Bruce Arians' offense might be just what he needs to unlock his potential, especially after the team gave him a vote of confidence by not adding competition in the draft. Jones showed tremendous speed, acceleration and elusiveness in college, and in a more dynamic scheme and playing for a coach willing to give him a chance, he could be headed for a breakout campaign. On the other hand, Arians likely plans to install a pass-first offense, and neither Jones nor Barber has shown much potential as a receiving weapon. It's anyone's guess how the snaps ultimately are divided in this backfield, with Andre Ellington potentially also in the mix.
The Buccaneers finally gave up on the idea that Doug Martin would be a consistent backfield weapon for them last year, and the front office wasted no time in finding his replacement, selecting Jones with the 38th overall pick in this year's draft. At 5-11, 205, Jones displayed breakaway speed throughout his college career at USC and likely would've done much better than his 4.65 40 time from the combine if he hadn't strained his hamstring while running (he improved to 4.48 at his pro day). Jones has a fluid, upright running style and doesn't take long to hit his top speed, displaying elusiveness in the open field and the ability to change directions on a dime. He wasn't used much as a receiver by the Trojans, but he's shown some natural ability in that area as well. Tampa has plenty of veteran options on the depth chart behind him, and concerns about his size could limit his touches out of the gate, but Jones figures to get every chance to prove he can be a difference-maker in the backfield.
More Fantasy News
Time in Dallas ends
RBFree Agent
Suspension
September 18, 2023
Jones was released by the Cowboys on Monday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
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Back at practice
RBDallas Cowboys
Suspension
August 23, 2023
Jones (groin/suspension) was able to practice Tuesday, giving him a chance to play in the Cowboys' final preseason game Saturday versus the Raiders, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
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Could return this week
RBDallas Cowboys
Suspension
August 21, 2023
Coach Mike McCarthy said Jones (groin/suspension) will be "challenged" to return this week in time for Dallas' third preseason game, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
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Not in uniform Saturday
RBDallas Cowboys
Suspension
August 12, 2023
Jones (groin/suspension) isn't in uniform ahead of Saturday's preseason game against the Jaguars, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
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In line to sit Saturday
RBDallas Cowboys
Suspension
August 8, 2023
Coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday that Jones (groin/suspension) is unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Jaguars, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
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