5 sleeper NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates

2. Ronald Jones, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With the departure of Doug Martin from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers backfield, the job as starting running back is up for grabs. Ronald Jones II rushed for 3,619 yards and 39 touchdowns in just three years for the USC Trojans. He is an extremely explosive back with top-notch stop-and-start ability combined with excellent vision, making him very elusive for would-be defenders.

Jones was by no means a prolific pass-catcher at USC as his 17 targets last season can attest to. Despite the low target number, those 17 passes amounted to 14 receptions for 187 yards and a staggering 13.4 yards per reception, showing that when used in the passing game, Jones is extremely effective.

Tampa Bay ranked 27th last year in rushing which is something they intend to improve on and the main reason they drafted Jones in the second round of April’s draft.

Even if Jones is behind Peyton Barber come Week 1, expect him to still see the field quite often as the Bucs need an explosive playmaker to give them that difference-maker they so desperately need.