COSTA MESA, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Chargers have a plethora of playmakers at Philip Rivers’ disposal in Keenan Allen, Melvin Gordon, Hunter Henry, Tyrell Williams, Travis Benjamin and Austin Ekeler.
However, Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn could always use another one.
“Those edge rushers [Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram] are at their best when you’re making the other team pass,” Lynn said. “So you can put more weapons on the offensive side of the ball to keep that offense rolling, forcing people into throwing situations to take advantage of the personnel that you do have.”
USC’s Ronald Jones II certainly fits the description of a playmaker. The electric running back totaled 3,619 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns in three seasons for the Trojans, averaging just over 6 yards per carry.
In his final season at USC last year, Jones rumbled for 1,550 yards and 19 touchdowns, breaking the 100-yard barrier nine times.
“Just the home-run threat and being a complete back,” Jones said at USC’s pro day last month, when asked to highlight his strengths as a player. “Catching the ball out of the backfield and pass protection, showing that I can do that.”
What teams like about Jones is his ability to create big plays. At 5-foot-11 and 209 pounds, Jones finished with 41 runs of 10 yards or more last season. He reportedly ran a 4.48-second, 40-yard time at his pro day last week with an ailing hamstring, showing the speed on tape is no fluke.
According to this report, 15 teams had representatives at Jones’ pro day last week. I’m told the Chargers were one of the teams that had a scout in attendance.
Lynn and offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt also attended USC’s pro day last month, watching Jones catch the ball from Sam Darnold and run routes.
Like Gordon, Jones has been compared to Jamaal Charles coming out of college. A Texas native, Jones said that Charles was one of the backs he looked up to coming out of high school.
“He’s part of the reason I wear 25,” Jones said, when asked about Charles. “We both had dreadlocks. And he’s from Texas.”
Because he had limited opportunities in college, one of the things Jones will have to show scouts is that he can pass protect and catch the ball out of the backfield, essential skills for running backs to have in the NFL.
However, with his speed and natural running ability, Jones could be a nice complementary back to Gordon and see time as a return specialist.
“I didn’t do too much of it, but I’m very comfortable doing it,” Jones told reporters at the NFL scouting combine in February when asked about improving as a pass protector. “I know how important it is at the next level to protect the money man next to me, the quarterback, so I look forward to getting better at that, as well.”
Jones is ranked the No. 3 running back on ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper’s big board.
Along with Jones, other running backs that could makes sense for the Chargers include San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny, Georgia’s Sony Michel, Oregon’s Royce Freeman and Arizona State’s Kalen Ballage.