NFL Power Rankings 2020: Ranking every starting running back
By Samuel Teets
32. Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers used the 38th overall pick on Jones in 2018. At the time, the selection made perfect sense. Despite some flaws, Jones seemed primed for a long and successful NFL career. After all, he did produce 1,550 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns in his final season at USC.
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Unfortunately, Jones didn’t play much as a rookie and found himself riding the bench several times last season for failing in pass protection. With Tom Brady joining the team, it’s unsure how much Tampa Bay can afford to leave Jones on the field in protection scenarios. He did run well in 2019, gaining 724 yards on only 172 attempts, but the Buccaneers need a complete back.
Dealing with a depleted backfield, the Buccaneers could search for a veteran in the free agency market. With the first wave of NFL free agency over, Tampa Bay won’t land a bonafide star, but the team could sign Devonta Freeman or LeSean McCoy.
Head coach Bruce Arians recently confirmed during a conference call that the Buccaneers did take a long look at Freeman. However, Arians also told reporters that the former Pro Bowl running back is asking for more money than Tampa Bay is willing to spend given the team’s shrinking cap space. Tampa Bay ranks among the bottom five teams in the league for available cap space.
The Buccaneers drafted Vanderbilt’s Ke’Shawn Vaughn with a third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Vaughn ran for 2,272 yards and 21 touchdowns during his final two collegiate seasons. While he offers an alternative to Jones, Vaughn is hardly a standout player. Tampa Bay’s backfield largely remains a mystery.