A poll of NFL scouts, executives and players conducted by ESPN helps highlight why Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones remains so underrated around the league.
Jones, who produced over 1,500 total yards and scored an NFL-leading 19 touchdowns during the regular season in 2019, didn’t make the top 10 of the poll’s best running backs.
In a poll conducted with more than 50 NFL executives, scouts and players, ESPN ranked the top 10 running backs for this upcoming season. pic.twitter.com/HVWvg6lsYL
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) July 9, 2020
These polls, much like the Pro Bowl, are based more on reputation than anything else. Counting the playoffs, Jones scored a team-record 23 touchdowns in 18 games last season. He was terrific in big games and nationally televised matchups and helped the Packers finish with a 13-3 record but still didn’t make the Pro Bowl, making it hard to believe he can still be so underrated in NFL circles.
If he keeps producing at elite levels, the league will eventually catch up.
The evidence for Jones’ inclusion among the NFL’s top 10 running backs is vast, and social media didn’t hesitate to point it out on Thursday.
Aaron Jonesโ 90.5 rushing grade ranks ๐๐ง๐ in the NFL since 2017 pic.twitter.com/TcxMzpdu37
— PFF (@PFF) July 9, 2020
In 2019, only TWO players had at least 1,000 Rush yds, 15 TD and 400 rec yds:
Aaron Jones
Christian McCaffreyLet's give @Showtyme_33 the respect he deserves pic.twitter.com/WHI63JICw7
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) July 9, 2020
The Packers clearly saw the poll:
– Career-high 1,558 yards from scrimmage
– ๐ก๐๐-๐ฏ๐ฒ๐๐ 16 rushing & 19 total TDs in regular season
– Franchise-record 23 total TDs, including playoffsA look back at @Showtyme_33's 2019 season ๐ค#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/mhpbJYAI3K
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) July 9, 2020
And don’t think Jones didn’t see the poll:
๐ on my shoulder ๐ค… https://t.co/w3X4iJ8zLL
— Aaron Jones 3๏ธโฃ3๏ธโฃ (@Showtyme_33) July 9, 2020
Jones received an “honorable mention” in the poll, joining Chris Carson, James Conner, Melvin Gordon and Leonard Fournette as the top running backs outside the top 10.
A fifth-round pick in 2017, Jones is entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2020.
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