If, like me, you're a Ronald Jones II fantasy owner who was expecting a breakout season from the third-year tailback as the entire Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense levels up around him, the team's signing of Leonard Fournette on Wednesday tempered that excitement—at least temporarily.
Tampa Bay added Fournette one week after the fourth-year pro was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The former no. 4 overall pick ran for 2,631 yards over a tumultuous and ultimately underwhelming three-season tenure in North Florida.
However, Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians offered some words of reassurance for Jones (and his fantasy owners). Arians insisted that, despite the addition of another capable two-down back like Fournette, the starting halfback job is still firmly Jones'.
Jones didn't see many carries as a rookie, but the 2018 second-round pick out of USC ran for 724 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore, finishing with his first career 100+ yard rushing game in Week 17.
The buzz on Jones has been largely positive in training camp, and he should see plenty of opportunities to operate in space as Tom Brady and Arians lead a high-powered air attack featuring arguably the most skillful group of pass-catchers (Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski, Cameron Brate, O.J. Howard, etc.) in football.
“It's his job. Nothing's changed for him,” Arians said about Jones on a conference call with reporters on Thursday in the wake of the Fournette news.
Arians said the Buccaneers stable of running backs—including LeSean McCoy, Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Dare Ogunbowale, and now Fournette —will provide valuable insurance and depth, but won't encroach on Jones' role.
While Jones may see the most touches, Arians believes Fournette can pick up enough of the playbook to be ready to contribute in Week 1 against the New Orlenas Saints.
Either way, Arians and Brady will have no shortage of toys to play with as they attempt to become the first team in NFL history to host a Super Bowl in their home stadium.
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