2022 Fantasy Upside
Just two seasons ago, Ronald Jones was a 1,000-yard scrimmage back. He wasn’t as productive in 2021, but that’s simply because Bruce Arians quit giving him the ball. Jones has still been a productive back, averaging 4.8 yards per carry over the past two seasons. He’s been good when given the chance, but he simply wasn’t given a chance last year. That will likely change this year as Jones gets a change of scenery in Kansas City. We saw Darrel Williams have a sizable role last season, and Jones will take over some of that. Jones is currently projected by 4for4 to finish with more rushing attempts than Clyde Edwards-Helaire this season for the Chiefs.
2022 Fantasy Downside
Jones has never been considered to be a great receiver. He saw just 13 targets last season, and the year before he had a 66.7% catch percentage on 42 targets, which ranked 38th among running backs that year. This is bad news considering the Chiefs had the second-most pass attempts in the league a year ago. So Jones’ production will have to come through the ground, where he’ll be splitting carries with CEH. Kansas City also has some depth at the position in Jerick McKinnon, Derrick Gore, and rookie draft pick Isiah Pacheco.
2022 Bottom Line
Fantasy managers will need to hope Jones can carve out a big enough role in this offense, which is going to be difficult to do. When CEH and Williams were both healthy and playing during a five-game stretch last season (Week 11-Week 16), Williams only averaged 7.6 touches per game. It’s difficult to make an impact in fantasy when you’re not on the field enough. Jones will likely have a bigger role for the Chiefs than he did for the Bucs a year ago, but it won’t be big enough unless CEH goes down with an injury. Jones is draftable as a late-round flier, or as a handcuff for CEH, but he’s not going to be someone you want in your lineup every week.
Week 17 at New York Jets
Ronald Jones didn't run well last week in a tough matchup, but he saw a lot of volume which turned into production. Jones finished with 20 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown while finishing 2-16 on three targets. Meanwhile, backup Ke'Shawn Vaughn saw seven touches, and Le'Veon Bell played on just three snaps. Jones played 52% of the offensive snaps compared to Vaughn's 36%. It's a much higher split than we were seeing with Leonard Fournette and Jones before Fournette's injury. But even with the higher split, Jones is seeing enough touches to make him a strong fantasy option heading into Week 17. Especially because he's facing a Jets defense that's given up the most average fantasy points to running backs this year. New York has given up the 4th-most rushing yards and the 2nd-most receiving yards to running backs so far. Jones should be viewed as a must-start RB1 this week.
Week 16 at Carolina Panthers
Bruce Arians is forced into playing Ronald Jones this week as Leonard Fournette suffered an injury in Week 15. Jones played well in Fournette's absence, rushing for 63 yards on eight carries (7.8 ypc). But even with Fournette out, Arians turned to Ke'Shawn Vaughn just about as often. Jones played on 22 offensive snaps compared to Vaughn's 19 snaps. Vaughn also matched Jones in targets (2) and had just five fewer carries. The Bucs also added Le'Veon Bell who likely won't have enough of an impact on his own, but could easily steal playing time away from Jones. Jones should still end up leading this backfield in touches, but it's hard to anticipate him matching Fournette's production. To make matters worse, Jones will draw a tough Panthers matchup this week as Carolina has given up the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. Jones is a talented back who had a 1,000-yard season a year ago, so he's more than capable of playing well this week in Fournette's absence. We like him as a lower-end RB1.
Week 15 vs. New Orleans Saints
It was another rough game for Ronald Jones last week, who was out-rushed by Tom Brady in both attempts and yards. Jones played on just eight snaps last week, the sixth time this season he's played 10 offensive snaps or less. Jones simply isn't on the field enough to warrant fantasy consideration. He can be left on waivers in Week 15.
Week 14 @ Buffalo Bills
Ronald Jones only played two snaps last week as he exited the game early with a non-COVID illness. He isn't listed on the injury report heading into Week 14 so we'd assume he'll be fine to play. Although it doesn't really matter because Jones barely plays anyways. He should be off the fantasy radar for Week 14.
Week 13 at Atlanta Falcons
Even with Leonard Fournette scoring four touchdowns, Ronald Jones still somehow managed to find the endzone last week. It's the second straight game he's scored a touchdown after scoring just once in his first nine games. Outside of the score, Jones played his usual role of playing between 15-20% of the offensive snaps with under 10 carries and no targets. Jones doesn't see the field enough to warrant fantasy consideration, even though he's been an endzone threat the past two games.
Week 12 at Indianapolis Colts
After playing just one snap in Week 10, the Bucs remembered they had Ronald Jones on the team and gave him a few more opportunities in Week 11. He finished with eight carries for 33 yards and a touchdown while seeing no targets. He only played on 19% of the offensive snaps though, meaning he's still only hit 20% or more of the offensive snaps in just one game all season. He's simply not on the field enough to warrant fantasy consideration.
Week 11 vs. New York Giants
Ronald Jones hit a new low point last week as he played on just one offensive snap. It's truly strange to see Jones, someone who had 1,000 scrimmage yards a season ago, just not even see the field at this point in the season. He can safely be placed on waivers in your league as he has no fantasy appeal at the moment.
Week 10 @ Washington Football Team
Ronald Jones played on just nine snaps in Week 8, his fewest since he was benched in Week 1. For whatever reason, Bruce Arians just refuses to put Jones on the field. So unless something happens to Leonard Fournette, Jones isn't a viable option in fantasy.
Week 8 at New Orleans Saints
Ronald Jones saw 10 touches in a game last week for the first time this season, but don't view it as the Bucs getting him more involved. Tampa Bay had just built a big lead and wanted to run the clock out late. In fact, Jones didn't even play more as he had the same snap count as the week prior. We thought Jones would be relevant at the start of the year, but it's clear the Bucs don't view him as a priority. He's best left on waivers.
