Jay Gruden on Matt Jones: We drafted him to be the featured back

By foxsports
Published

Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones flashed big potential in his rookie season in 2015, but ball security and injuries held him back from emerging as the team's featured back.

At the NFL Combine on Wednesday, head coach Jay Gruden confirmed that the team drafted Jones with the intention of making him their featured back.

Via the Washington Post:

“We drafted him with that intent,” Gruden said. “He’s a big, powerful runner. The big thing about Matt is, we’ve got to keep him healthy and work on ball security — those are the two things in the offseason. I know [running backs coach] Randy Jordan will harp on that, and getting his pad level down a little bit. But health, ball security, those are the two biggest things.”

Jones' path to earning a featured role on the offense will be made a lot clearer if impending free agent running back Alfred Morris signs elsewhere.

If the Redskins do pass on Morris, Jones will be in an excellent position to emerge as the lead back with Chris Thompson assuming third down duties, like he did in 2015. Of course, the NFL offseason is fluid, and the Redskins could sign or draft another talented running back.

For now, we'll leave you with a link to check out Jones' best play in 2015 -- a 78-yard screen pass that he turned into a touchdown.