Aaron Jones

Fantasy Upside

After a frustrating first seasons in the league in an RB committee, Aaron Jones finally broke out in 2020 to the tune of 1,089 receptions and a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns. Jones was seemingly destined for the endzone last season with five games with at least two rushing touchdowns including one four-touchdown early in the year against Dallas. Not only was Jones impressive in the run, but Green Bay’s lack of receiving weapons allowed him to get 69 targets which he turned into 49 receptions, 474 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Green Bay’s all-purpose back will see an expected regression in touchdowns, but his effectiveness in all facets of the game should account for continued production in 2020.

Fantasy Downside

Seemingly free from sharing the backfield with Jamaal Williams last season, Jones finds himself in yet another full backfield with 2020 second-round pick A.J. Dillon. Unlike Williams, the concern in sharing the backfield with Dillon is his hulking six-foot, 250-pound frame that will inevitably steal away goal-line opportunities for Jones. An inevitable step back from the defense might call for a more negative game script for Jones, thus calling for more pass attempts for QB Aaron Jones—a definite hit to Jones’ production.

2020 Bottom Line

Jones might have hit his ceiling last year as he tied fantasy MVP Christian McCaffery for total TDs scored for non-QBs, but his talent and past prediction will be enough to give most of the reps in the Green Bay backfield. We currently have Jones ranked 14th amongst running backs and his current 12-team ADP has him going in the middle of the second round. Fantasy teams are taking Jones based on 2019 production, however, the high draft capital investment from a team who likes to spread the wealth in the backfield makes Jones a few mistakes away from a full-blown RB-by-committee.

Week 16 at Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones continued to be a touchdown machine this season, scoring two more last week despite getting just 13 rushing attempts for 51 yards. Jones now has an NFL-best 14 rushing touchdowns this season, adding three more through the air. He had one of his best rushing games of the season in Week 2 against the Vikings, gaining 116 yards on 23 carries with a touchdown while also catching four passes for 34 yards. Jones' usage has been spotty, at best, but with the division title on the line, the Packers will likely lean on Jones. Jones is a low-end RB1, low-end RB2 this week.

Week 14 vs. Washington Redskins
11 carries for 18 yards and four receptions for 13 without a score weren't exactly what you were expecting out of Aaron Jones in blowout win over the Giants. He did have chances to score, but his touches remain disturbing. Jones hasn't gotten more than 15 in a game since Davante Adams returned to the lineup. He's a good bet to get back into the end zone this week against Washington's defense, ranked 25th against opposing running backs, the lack of volume keeps him as more of a low-end RB1 play this week.