Aaron Jones put together a big breakout season with the Green Bay Packers in 2019. Not only did he prove he can be a workhorse running back worthy of being the full-time starter for the franchise, he also ended up among the league's elite running backs. It was a year that has fans in Green Bay excited to see what Jones has in store for 2020.
During the 2019 season, Jones carried the football 236 times for 1,084 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also showed off his ability as a dual-threat running back with 49 receptions for 474 yards and three scores.
Green Bay is going to utilize Jones heavily once again in 2020, but there are some questions surrounding the backfield.
In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Packers made the surprising decision to draft Boston College running back A.J. Dillon in the second round. While Dillon is a very talented player, no one thought Green Bay needed to add a running back with a pick that high. It has made some question whether or not the Packers could look to trade Jamaal Williams at some point prior to the NFL trade deadline.
Dillon also could steal some carries from Jones in short-yardage situations. He is a bruiser at 6-foot-0 and 247 pounds and will be very difficult for opposing defenders to take down.
With that being said, let's take a look at three early predictions for Aaron Jones for the 2020 NFL season.
3. Aaron Jones rushes for 14 more touchdowns
Most fans and media members are expecting Jones to take a big step back from his touchdown total from 2019. Racking up 16 touchdowns on the ground is impressive for any back. However, he is going to prove that the numbers were no fluke.
While he won't quite end up with 16 touchdowns, he will rush for 14 more this season. Matt LaFleur loves running the football and that isn't going to stop. Add in the shifty and elusive running style of Jones, coupled with blazing speed, and touchdowns are in his future in 2020.
2. The Packers take some carries away from Jones
Next up, a prediction that won't make many fans in Green Bay very happy. They have been pleading to unleash Jones and it finally happened last season. But, with Williams and the addition of Dillon, Jones will receive fewer carries in 2020.
That isn't to say that the Packers will stop using him as a workhorse. He is still going to get a bulk of the carries. It would be reasonable to expect that his carries will drop from 236 to around 210.
Jones is still going to take enough handoffs to put up big numbers. He should have a shot at cracking the 1,000-yard mark as well. Green Bay will simply focus on getting the other running backs involved and keeping Jones more fresh.
1. Jones takes on an even bigger role as a receiver
Finally, while Jones may lose out on some carries that he would have gotten last season, he will improve as a receiver. As we noted earlier, he put together a solid season as a dual-threat back.
LaFleur is going to need more weapons in the passing game due to the fact that the Packers didn't bring in a playmaking wideout. Devin Funchess was a respectable addition, but he isn't going to move the needle much. Green Bay will look to get the football in Jones' hands much more out of the backfield and could use him as a gadget player in formations with Dillon on the field.
Jones is going to be one of the top dual-threat backs in the league. His role may change a bit, but his production won't dip much as a result.
Follow Us
Subscribe