Washington Redskins: 3 Things to watch at minicamp

3. Will Matt Jones be present?

Just two years ago, running back Matt Jones was a third-round pick of the Washington Redskins. After some promising moments in his first year, Jones was essentially handed the starting gig last year. Needless to say, Jones struggled.

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Whether it was fumbling — Jones cost Washington a win at Detroit — tentativeness or simply missing open holes, Jones regressed in a major way in 2016. Undrafted rookie Rob Kelley passed Jones on the depth chart and never looked back. Kelley wasn’t exactly a world-beater, though he was solid. However, he was so much better than Jones that coaches gave him the starting job heading into the 2017 offseason.

Jones chose to skip the OTAs over the last few weeks. It’s important to note that Jones was well within his right as OTAs are voluntary. But what does it show your teammates and coaches that you choose not come in and compete?

According to those close to Jones, the third-year back was told he was not in the team’s plans and was fifth on the depth chart. Whether that’s true or not, he’s still a part of the team and isn’t doing himself any favors by staying home.

If Jones wants a new team — or to show his current team what they could be missing — he should be at minicamp competing.