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Bucs get their back in 2nd round: USC’s Ronald Jones

Tampa Bay used first of three second-rounders to add a new starting running back.
 
Published April 27, 2018|Updated April 28, 2018

The Bucs have used the first of their three second-round picks to address their running game, taking USC's Ronald Jones with the No. 38 pick.

Jones, 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, rushed for 1,550 yards and 19 touchdowns this past season. He's shown a real big-play potential, with 12 different games in college where he had at least one run of 40-plus yards.

"I can score from anywhere on the field. I've always been that home-run threat," Jones said on a conference call Friday night. "I look forward to that in the NFL."

Jones, still only 20 years old, was the fourth running back taken in the draft, behind first-rounders Saquon Barkley and Sony Michel and Georgia's Nick Chubb, who went to the Browns at No. 35.

He was slowed by a hamstring injury at the NFL combine and to some extent at USC's pro day, but said he's "pretty much 100 percent" and didn't expect to be limited at Bucs rookie minicamp in two weeks.

USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin said pass protection is one of Jones' strengths, and what allowed him to play enough as a true freshman to set USC's freshman rushing record with 987 rushing yards.

"Ronald is explosive," Martin said Friday night. "I've played with and coached a lot of really good running backs, going back to my college and NFL days. Ronald is by far the most explosive running back I've been around. He's fast. He has great vision, home-run ability and does a really good job of protecting the quarterback. He's a guy that can stay on the field for three downs and I think the fans will really love his style of play."

The Bucs moved on from Doug Martin, cutting him in the offseason, and did nothing in free agency. Peyton Barber, who ended up leading the team in rushing, is also back and will compete for carries with Jones.

The Bucs have two more picks in the second round — No. 53 and 56 overall — thanks to their trade Thursday to move down from No. 7 to No. 12, where they chose Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea.