Felix Jones’ brief career has been made in the shadows of running backs considered faster, tougher or more versatile, but in reality, there are few runners who can claim to be more explosive, dynamic or better prepared to succeed than the former Arkansas Razorback...
Blessed with great size (6’0”, 212 lbs.) and speed, Jones first flashed his ability as a freshman when he was a second-team All-SEC performer as a kick returner. His success continued over the next two seasons despite appearing exclusively as a backup to Darren McFadden; Jones ultimately earned All-SEC honors in each of his college seasons and was named a third-team All-American as a junior in 2007. For his career, Jones carried the ball 387 times for 2954 yards (7.6 YPC), scored 27 touchdowns and averaged 27.3 yards per kickoff return.
Jones, who forfeited his final year of college eligibility, was drafted twenty-second overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2008 draft; the Cowboys considered him an upgrade over departed veteran Julius Jones and envisioned him the perfect complement for thunderous starter Marion Barber.
For the first third of the season, Jones delivered, and his ability to score from anywhere on the field was immediately put on the display. After scoring a touchdown on his first NFL carry, Jones sprinted for a 98-yard return touchdown on Monday Night Football and scored a 60-yard touchdown in Week 3.
Jones peaked in Week 5, gaining 103 total yards and scoring a touchdown, before succumbing to a hamstring injury in Week 6 which would end his season, and despite the small taste of Jones that owners received in 2008, expectations are high heading into 2009. He scored a touchdown in each of his healthy games and averaged an impressive 8.9 YPC as well as 27.1 yards per kickoff return. He is truly capable of scoring at any given moment, and while his value will take a hit due to Barber’s grip on short-yardage and goal line touches, his ability to break the big run gives him an advantage over many other speed backs stuck in committee situations.
Recent developments in Dallas will boost Jones’ value as well. The release of wide receiver Terrell Owens indicates that the Cowboys will likely increase their commitment to the running game, and Jones is most likely to benefit. Owner Jerry Jones has spoken candidly about the second-year running back’s role going forward and has said that the team is considering Jones as a starter given his versatility. Barber would still receive the vast majority of the all-important goal line carries, but the thought of Jones exceeding 200 touches is exciting.
Will Jones ultimately earn that coveted starting role and those touches? Only time (and endless hours of incessant babble from football talking heads) will tell, but only this is a certainty: if Jones can get those 15 touches per game, good things will happen. He offers great value as a low-end No. 2 running back with big, big upside and should see an ADP somewhere around the turn of the fifth round.
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