Report: Washington Redskins to host RB Ronald Jones on pre-draft visit
The Washington Redskins are going to be hosting a running back on a visit this Monday. That runner will be USC’s Ronald Jones.
The Redskins are going to upgrade the running back position at some point in the next month. They need to find a better lead back than Samaje Perine, as Chris Thompson isn’t suited to carry a full load. In the 2018 NFL Draft, the team will probably select a running back in the first few rounds, unless they are able to get a guy like Jordan Howard in a trade.
As it stands, it seems most likely that the Redskins will target a runner in the second round. They probably will grab a defender in the first round and then grab whichever of the top six backs falls into their lap at the No. 49 pick.
According to ESPN’s John Keim, the team is bringing in a running back for a visit on Monday. That is USC’s Ronald Jones, who has had a couple of solid seasons over the past couple of years.
Southern Cal running back Ronald Jones will visit the Redskins on Monday, per source. Redskins president Bruce Allen attended a makeup pro day for Jones Thursday. Allen also had dinner with LSU running back Derrius Guice the night before his pro day.... https://t.co/1lYCCWBiPw
— John Keim (@john_keim) April 6, 2018
While the team has also taken a look at Derrius Guice as Keim mentioned, it seems more likely that Jones would provide superior value.
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Taking Guice would require either taking him at 13, trading down in Round 1, or trading up from Round 2. Jones is far more likely to be available in Round 2, and I actually projected him to Washington in our recent 7-round mock. Here’s what I said about Jones in that piece.
"The Redskins are lucky to get one of the second-round running backs to fall into their lap. Ronald Jones had a great season for the USC Trojans in 2017. Jones totaled 1,550 yards and 19 touchdowns on just 261 carries and was a terrific weapon for Sam Darnold. He looked like a true lead back and is one of the better runners in this draft.With the Redskins, Jones would be the natural backfield leader for the team. He would be a potential three-down back, though Chris Thompson would likely hold onto his passing back role. Still, having an early downs starter like Jones would do a lot to complete the running back group for the Redskins, a group that would likely feature Jones and Thompson as the main backs with Samaje Perine being worked in. That would do a lot to help the team’s offense out under Alex Smith’s leadership."
The Redskins may not be able to land Jones at No. 49, but they could move up a bit to get him if he slips to the latter end of the top 40.
Jones would be an ideal fit in the Washington offense. He has good combo ability and while he may not have the ideal size to be a between the tackles bruiser, but he has nice elusive ability and good athletic ability. And the Redskins will be able to use him as the backfield leader because of these traits.
Next: Redskins should make trade offer for Jordan Howard
Bringing in Jones for a visit is another great move by the Redskins, and it means that he should possibly be in the mix for their second round pick. If they are able to get him, that would be a very nice move.