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Washington Redskins: Matt Jones can steal playing time from Alfred Morris

By Nick Ziegler

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The Washington Redskins had a disappointing season in 2014, as both the offense and defense struggled for big chunks of the season.

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One of the steady forces on the Redskins in the past few seasons has been running back Alfred Morris. In the sixth-round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Redskins hit the jackpot by drafting Morris with the 173rd overall pick.

Along with Robert Griffin III, Morris had a great rookie season, as the duo helped lead the Redskins into the playoffs. In his rookie season, Morris totaled 1,613 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, and a 4.8 yards per carry average.

Even when Griffin was hurt in 2013, Morris was still able to have a Pro Bowl season. In 2013, Morris totaled 1,275 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns, and a 4.6 yards per carry average. In 2014, Morris made the Pro Bowl once again, but his production dropped. Last season, Morris totaled 1,074 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns, and a 4.1 yards per carry average.

Although Morris has been great in the running game, he has been nonexistent as a pass-catcher. In three seasons, Morris has totaled 37 receptions, 310 receiving yards, and zero receiving touchdowns.

Even with Morris being their horse in the backfield, the Redskins used their third-round pick on running back Matt Jones from Florida.

In three seasons at Florida, Jones totaled 1,431 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, and a 4.8 yards per carry average. Jones had his sophomore season cut short by an injury, but made up for it in his junior season.

Last season, Jones came into his own as a player, as he totaled 817 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. Similar to Morris, Jones didn’t impress in the receiving game, but the Redskins like what they see so far in Jones’ ability to catch the football.

“You think of him as a big, power-type back,” Jay Gruden said to Jamie Oakes of 247sports.com, “but Matt’s done some things out in space that have been very, very impressive, making moves on the second level, in the passing game, running some option routes on linebackers. He’s got natural hands.”

In three seasons, Jones totaled 19 receptions, 100 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown.

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida Gators Matt Jones running back Matt Jones runs with the ball in a drill during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

“I want to just jump into that and get that role because I didn’t really catch the ball a lot at Florida,” said Jones to Oakes. “I didn’t have the right college career I wanted.”

It’s hard to imagine that Jones will completely take Morris’ starting job in 2015, but by using a third-round pick on him, the Redskins obviously like what they see. Jones also has the drive to be the best player he can be, and he will be trying to become the starting running back in Washington.

“I know he’s going to be the starter, but we will compete,” said Jones of Morris to Oates. “I will compete with anybody who’s in front of me.”

Many teams in the NFL use the dual-back system, and that could very well become the case in Washington in 2015. If Jones continues to develop as a receiver in the offseason, he can certainly earn playing time right away in Washington.

Next: What was the best move by the Redskins this offseason?

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