Week 2 vs. Carolina Panthers
Despite the Bucs bringing in three running backs this offseason, the team stuck with Ronald Jones as its primary player in Week 1. Jones ran the ball 17 times (team-high) and led all backs in targets (3) and receptions (2). He finished with 82 scrimmage yards and no scores, which isn't a terrible game. He'll draw a favorable matchup this week against the Panthers, who allowed the most fantasy points to opposing backs in 2019. Carolina also allowed Josh Jacobs to finish with 139 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns in Week 1. Jones is a promising RB2 this week against Carolina.
Week 1 at New Orleans Saints
The Bucs' backfield is a mess as there is an abundance of bodies. Before the season, we figured Ronald Jones and third-round rookie Ke'Shawn Vaughn would split touches. But the Bucs added Leonard Fournette and LeSean McCoy late in the offseason, creating a very crowded backfield. Despite the signings, Bruce Arians still labeled RoJo as "our guy" so we figure he'll get the bulk of the work. However, Fournette and McCoy add a presence that should worry Jones owners. One positive is Arians confirmed Vaughn won't play much in Week 1, so that eliminates one RB. Jones should be viewed as an RB3 option in a tough matchup against the Saints.
Fantasy Upside
Ronald Jones topped 1,000 scrimmage yards in 2019 and finished as the No. 26 running back (half-PPR). He played the most snaps out of Tampa Bay’s three running backs, and should be viewed as the incumbent starter for 2020. Despite some struggles, Jones played mostly well in 2019 as he topped 70 total yards seven times, even though he was splitting touches. He’ll be playing in an improved offense this year with the arrival of Tom Brady. In early August, Bruce Arians said of Jones, "Rojo’s the main guy. He’ll carry the load."
Fantasy Downside
Jones will still be fighting for touches in 2020 as the Bucs added rookie Ke’Shawn Vaughn in the third round. Playing time was a huge issue for Jones in 2019 as he only played over 50% of the offensive snaps in two games last season. He’ll likely be forced into a similar three back backfield, limiting his production.
2020 Bottom Line
Poor pass protection was one of the main reasons why Jones struggled to stay on the field last season. He says he’s been working on it this offseason, and becoming a pro at pass pro will be crucial to him earning more playing time. Still, Arians has offered high praise of Vaughn, and the Bucs will want to get their rookie involved. Tampa Bay also added in veteran LeSean McCoy, who will add some extra clutter to this backfield. Expect Jones to finish around 1,000 scrimmage yards again, barely placing him near the top 30 running back conversation.
Week 17 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Ronald Jones topped 100 scrimmage yards for the second time all season last week, finishing with 77 yards on the ground and 32 yards as a receiver (on three receptions). He also scored his sixth touchdown of the season. Jones has been serviceable this year, but his numbers have been limited as he splits time with Peyton Barber and Dare Ogunbowale. He should be a solid RB2 play this week in a favorable matchup against Atlanta. He finished with 67 scrimmage yards and a touchdown when he played the Falcons earlier in the year.
Week 16 vs. Houston Texans
Ronald Jones is still in a three-man backfield committee, making it hard for him to carry too much fantasy value. He ran 11 times for 23 yards last week while catching just one pass for 26 yards. Tampa's leaning more towards letting Jameis Winston loose rather than lean on their two running backs who aren't doing much. Jones gets a favorable matchup against the Texans this week, but he's not much more than a flex play.
Week 15 at Detroit Lions
Ronald Jones had an even split of carries with Peyton Barber last week as they each ran 11 times. Jones finished with 36 yards on the ground while catching four passes for 23 yards. The Bucs have split playing time with their three backs pretty evenly on the season (328 snaps for Jones, 307 for Dare Ogunbowale, 302 for Barber) making it difficult for any of them to be a reliable option each week. This is a great matchup for Jones, but his production is tough to predict with such an even split among three players. He's nothing more than a desperation flex play.
Week 14 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Ronald Jones ran the ball six times for eight yards last week before being benched by Bruce Arians for a pass-protection error. Arians says Jones is still starting, but this benching just adds more drama to this already frustrating three-man backfield. To make matters worse, Jones doesn't even get a good matchup this week as he faces a Colts defense allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to running backs. We'd advise staying away as Jones is nothing more than a desperation flex play in Week 14.
Week 13 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Ronald Jones finished 12-51-1 as a rusher last week while adding in 16 yards on three receptions. Jones has had an interesting season, but he's been a bit more consistent lately, scoring three times in his last four games. He splits too much playing time with Peyton Barber and Dare Ogunbowale to ever really have an explosive game, but as long as he's scoring and getting double-digit touches, he'll have value. He gets a great matchup against the Jaguars this week, who have allowed the most fantasy points to running backs over the past four weeks. We like Jones as a low-end RB2 or a strong flex play in Week 13.
Week 12 at Atlanta Falcons
The Bucs' three-way log jam at running back caused problems for Ronald Jones last week as he touched the ball six times (four carries, two catches) for 14 yards. He played the second-most snaps among the three backs, getting out-played by Dare Ogunbowale. Jones has had some good games this season, but Tampa's use of these three can cause headaches on any given week. He has a decent matchup against the Falcons this week, but should only be viewed as a flex option.
Week 11 vs. New Orleans Saints
Ronald Jones continues to split time with Peyton Barber and Dare Ogunbowale, but he's improving his value. He ran 11 times for 29 yards and a touchdown last week. But his real production surprisingly came as a receiving threat as he caught eight passes for 77 yards. Jones had just eight receptions total heading into last week, so it came as a shock to see him so involved. It's not clear if this is a one-game thing or a trend to monitor moving forward. Either way, Jones has been the best back in this three-headed monster and has emerged as an RB2 play. He does get a tough matchup against the Saints this week, though. New Orleans is allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs.
