Excited to continue my NFL Blind Comparisons series for @FantasyPros!#FantasyFootball🏈 pic.twitter.com/SxFViudjGR

— Mitchell Renz (@MitchellRenz365) April 15, 2018

Player B is Jones and the forty yard dash time above is from his Pro Day, not the NFL Combine because he pulled his hamstring while running. Jones has a similar build to both of these running backs, and I think he possesses the ceiling of Player C, but the floor of Player A.

For strengths, Jones can wiggle turning the football field into an ice rink making defenders look like they are running on ice while Jones is on grass. When he plants his foot into the ground and can burst through a hole is when he picks up serious chunks of yardage. In his junior season, he ran with guts (really wanted to say something else, but my sexual innuendos limit has already been used) running tough threw holes and punishing defenders in the secondary when needed. He didn’t showcase his ability as a pass catcher in college, but don’t let the number fool you because he can catch the football.

For weaknesses, he is a little thin and has question marks around whether or not his frame could handle a heavy workload. His vision in different run schemes tends to be lacking, far too often he runs into the back of one of his lineman. He needs to learn how to go down, and I say this because he takes far to many big hits fighting for an extra inch and it scares me his body won’t be able to handle the abuse at the next level.

Back to the question, “What’s a good NFL comparison for Ronald Jones II?” He is a mix of Player A and C. Player A has Jones’ heart and ability to plant his foot to explode upfield but also shares Jones’ floor. Jones’ wiggle, build, and upside reminds me of Player C.

Player A is Jets running back, Bilal Powell. He is entering his eighth season in the NFL after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Despite his solid college production and flashes on the field in the NFL, the Jets haven’t trusted giving Powell a heavy workload due to his size. They have transformed him into a scat back who has never had over 179 rushing attempts in a season. When given the opportunity Powell has been productive, racking up 1,494 yards on 309 carries (4.5 YPC) and my fear is Jones will never be given a chance to break through.

Player C is Bills running back LeSean McCoy. Here is Jones’ upside, McCoy is entering his 10th season in the NFL after being selected in the second round by the Eagles in the 2009 NFL Draft. McCoy has had a great career rushing for 10,092 rushing yards and 75 touchdowns in his career while also adding 441 receptions for 3,378 yards and 15 touchdowns as a receiver.

McCoy had a ton of question marks around him entering the NFL, but once he showcased his talent, he has flourished ever since. I don’t think Jones has the amount of wiggle a player like McCoy does, but Jones is a more disciplined runner than McCoy entering the NFL. So, Powell’s heart, burst, and downside + McCoys build, wiggle, and upside = Ronald Jones II.

For his fantasy football value, I think it will determine where he is selected in the NFL Draft, if a team invests a pick on him in the first two rounds he will be a much safer pick. If he is drafted by a team with a crowded backfield, I’m worried he will get lost and never be given an opportunity he may deserve. Right now Jones is RB6 in FantasyPros Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings, and he is my RB5 according to my rookie running back rankings.