Week 3 at Washington Redskins
With Aaron Jones coming back from suspension, the Green Bay backfield situation becomes more clouded. Don't put Jones in your lineup. He's currently listed as the No. 3 back on the team's depth chart. But he'll be No. 1 sooner rather than later.
Fantasy Upside
Aaron Jones was the most productive of Green Bay's bevy of backs last season in terms of running the ball, posting two 100-yard games late in the season and averaging 5.5 yards per carry.
Fantasy Downside
Jones is suspended for the first two games of the season and is part of a crowded backfield. He also doesn't catch the ball particularly well—or at least not as well as Jamaal Williams or Ty Montgomery, the two players with which he's competing for playing time. That's a big part of this offense.
2018 Bottom Line
If Jones hadn't gotten himself suspended, he might be the frontrunner for carries, at least on first and second downs. He had two 100-yard games last season despite never topping 17 carries in a game. Jones has the best big-play ability of the Green Bay backs, so he'll likely have some kind of role. But this looks like a messy running back by committee. Jones is going in rounds 9–11, which might be a little high for a situation with little clarity.
Week 10 at Chicago Bears
So much for some clarity in the Green Bay running game. Jones got just 5 carries for 17 yards last week as the Packers were forced to abandon the run against the Lions. He did have 2 catches, but they went for negative-1 yard. Ty Montgomery didn't do much with his rushing attempts, either, so Jones should get the bulk of the carries on first and second downs. He also should get any goal-line carries. That adds up to him being a low-end RB2.
Week 9 vs. Detroit Lions
Aaron Jones might have grabbed himself more carries over Ty Montgomery moving forward with his 131-yard, 1-touchdown effort two weeks ago against the Saints. But he'll still give way to Montgomery at times, especially on passing downs. The Lions will present a stiff challenge, especially if they don't have much concern about Green Bay's passing game. Use Jones as an RB2.
Week 7 vs. New Orleans Saints
While Aaron Jones didn't get the 19 carries or 100 yards rushing he did the previous week, it was nice to see him get 13 rushing attempts, even if they did only go for 41 yards. He also added a catch, but you can't expect a lot there as long as Ty Montgomery remains in the equation. Montgomery got just 11 touches to 14 for Jones, which is promising. But that could change, though you would expect the Packers to try to run the ball to protect young quarterback Brett Hundley. That said, this looks like a timeshare. Ugh. Neither is worth more than a flex start.
Week 6 at Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones burst onto the scene last week with 125 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, adding 1 catch for 9 yards while subbing for an injured Ty Montgomery. Montgomery is still dealing with fractured ribs but could be back this week. If Montgomery doesn't play, feel free to use Jones as an RB2. If Montgomery is back, Jones will still be in the mix after his effort last week. But he likely won't get enough work to be used as anything more than a flex play against a tough Minnesota run defense.
Week 5 at Dallas Cowboys
Jones filled in admirably when both Ty Montgomery and Jamaal Williams both were injured last week against Chicago, gaining 49 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. But Williams was back at practice this week and Montgomery could play, as well. Jones might have pushed his way into the mix for some carries last week and if Montgomery doesn't play, he could be looking at another 10-15 carry game. If Montgomery doesn't play, Jones could be a decent flex play.
