Aaron Jones highlights: 3 reasons Packers rookie will make an impact

Green Bay Packers rookie running back Aaron Jones was one of the more intriguing day three selections. Here are highlights and reasons he will make noise…

The NFL Draft is full of intrigue from the first overall pick all the way to Mr. Irrelevant. I love to look into every pick, and how each player could fit in with their new team. You never know when someone is going to turn out to be a great value, so my philosophy has always been to assume that anyone could

The Green Bay Packers selected UTEP running back Aaron Jones in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and upon further review of the pick, I was extremely impressed.

After watching Jones play, it’s clear he has the ability to make an impact for the Green Bay Packers right away. Of course, the Packers already have a very interesting young running back/receiver in Ty Montgomery, who can play almost any role they ask him to.

Despite Montgomery’s intriguing progressions this past season, the Packers set out on day three of the draft to upgrade the running back depth they have now with Eddie Lacy gone, and I think Jones has a chance to be the best of the bunch.

He ran for over 1,700 yards this past season and 17 touchdowns. He averaged nearly eight yards per carry just one season after tearing a ligament in his left ankle two games into the 2015 season. One season later, Jones dominated and earned himself an invitation to the Scouting Combine.

Now in one of the most talented offenses in the league, I thought of three reasons (among potentially others) why he could make an impact in his first year in the NFL.

1. Explosiveness/Quickness

If you’re a running back who runs in the low 4.5 range, you have to have other elite qualities that set you apart besides track speed. Jones has those qualities, and showed them off at this year’s Scouting Combine.

Among running backs, he ranked near the top or at the top of the list for the 20-yard shuttle, 60-yard shuttle, vertical jump (37 inches), broad jump, three-cone drill, and he also threw up 16 bench press reps at 5-foot-9, 208 pounds.

Clearly, Jones is explosive and has excellent short area quickness and burst. That type of skill will help get him on the field early in Green Bay, and allow him to make an impact right away as a backup to Montgomery.

2. Big Play Ability

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This past season at UTEP, Jones had eight plays of 40 or more yards. He averaged nearly eight yards per carry, and he proved with consistency — whether as a runner or receiver — he was a big play waiting to happen.

The Packers certainly have no shortage of playmakers in their offense, but Jones definitely adds something out of the backfield. He’s that type of home run threat that can change the course of a game.

3. Pass Catching Ability

If you want to play regularly in an NFL offense, you need to contribute as more than just a runner. You need to be good catching passes out of the backfield as well, and Jones has that one locked in.

He showed he’s capable of making big time catches, not just making plays after the catch as an outlet out of the backfield.

Overall, this kid can flat out ball. He’s got the type of natural feel for the game that you can’t just coach into a guy. His unique blend of skills could be exactly what the doctor ordered for this Green Bay running game, which got desperate in 2016.

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