Green Bay Packers: Aaron Jones joining elite tier of NFL running backs

There aren’t many running backs playing at a higher level than Aaron Jones in 2019. It’s time to consider the Green Bay Packers runner among the NFL’s best.

Not many people would have considered Aaron Jones one of the NFL’s premier running backs before the start of the 2019 season. After just two years in the league, Jones had tallied a modest 1,404 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns in 24 career games. Hardly world-beating, but still respectable.

Fast forward to Week 8 of the 2019 season, and Jones has officially leveled up. He’s played a pivotal role in the Green Bay Packers‘ offensive success so far, and is quickly emerging as one of the 10 best players at his position around the league.

After winning another NFC Offensive Player of the Week award (second time this season) for his performance this past Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, perhaps we should start paying attention to what Jones is accomplishing this season.

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For starters, Jones currently leads the entire Packers offense in targets (42), receptions (35), touchdowns (11) and scrimmage yards (821). Overall, his 11 total touchdowns leads all NFL players through eight weeks, and his 821 scrimmage yards ranks fifth among running backs.

There’s no question the Packers offense runs through Jones at the moment, as evidenced by his production on the field. But it’s not just the stats that pop off the screen. Jones passes the eye test in every category, excelling in every facet of the game. In addition to being a swift ball-carrier, Jones has refined his game as a pass-blocker and receiver, and it’s showing up every week.

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Jones is currently ranked the No. 3 overall running back in the NFL, with the No. 1 pass-blocking grade, No. 3 receiving grade and No. 17 rushing grade among all running backs.

Jones has been the hot read on several occasions for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, providing a safety valve for the offense, but it’s been his ability to create yards after the catch that sets him apart. Of his 361 receiving yards, 334 yards have come after the catch.

And when he’s not catching passes out of the backfield, he’s splitting out wide and catching long touchdowns. Against the Chiefs, Jones had touchdown receptions of 50 and 67 yards, both of which came from lining up as a receiver. Conclusion? Jones is emerging as a do-it-all playmaker no matter the alignment.

As a runner, Jones has logged 466 rushing yards on 114 carries, good for a modest 4.1 yards per attempt. He’s on pace to shatter his previous single-season high of 133 carries and should eclipse his career total (214) in just one season.

Perhaps most impressively, though, is the fact that Jones has become one of the NFL’s best pass protectors at the running back position. Jones has been tasked with pass blocking on 32 snaps this season but has only allowed one quarterback pressure over that span.

Jones’ ascension from underutilized playmaker over the last two seasons to potential offensive MVP for the Packers in 2019 can be accredited to a mix of new ideas. Thanks to a new offensive scheme catered to Jones’ abilities under head coach Matt LaFleur, and a new opportunity to produce, Jones is on his way for a career-best season.

And there’s no question Jones is seizing his opportunity. If he continues to produce at the rate we’re currently seeing, it’ll be hard not to include him among the NFL’s elite running backs by season’s end.