Redskins rookie Matt Jones eyeing up Alfred Morris' starting job
by Mike Castiglione | Wed, Jun 17th 10:56pm EDT
Jones has been working to become a complete back by developing his receiving and pass-protection skills. While those skills could earn the rookie some 3rd-down snaps early on, he has his sights set higher. “I’m just grinding every day to be the starter,†he said. “I will put some pressure on Alfred.†(Washington Post)
Fantasy Impact:
The 6-2, 231-pound Jones is more than just a bruiser who likes contact. Teammate Chris Thompson noted Jones' speed following Tuesday's practice, while strength and conditioning coach Mike Clark chuckled about how smooth he is. “He’s been really impressive,†Clark said. “I would expect great things from him.†A former four-star high school recruit, Jones overcame a torn meniscus that cut his 2013 campaign short and finished his career at Florida with an average of 4.8 ypc and 11 TDs across 297 career rushes and 15 starts. He logged 20+ carries on three occasions as a junior in 2014, each resulting in a 100-yard game (29-156-1 vs. Kentucky; 23-114-1 vs. Tennessee; 25-192-2 vs. Georgia). Morris remains atop the depth chart but is a non-factor in the passing game and now enters a contract year. Scot McCloughan, a former Seattle Seahawks executive, handpicked Jones in the 3rd round of his debut draft as Washington's new GM and then compared Jones to Marshawn Lynch, twice.
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