According to multiple reports, the Dallas Cowboys and Ronald Jones have agreed on a one-year deal.
Jones spent the 2022 season with the Chiefs, only appearing in six games. He finished the season with just 70 yards on 17 carries.
A second-round pick from USC in 2018, Jones spent his first four seasons with the Buccaneers. His best season as a pro came in 2020 when he carried the ball 192 for 978 yards and seven touchdowns. He also caught 28 passes for 165 and a touchdown.
I just posted earlier this afternoon that Jones was at the Star for a workout/visit on Monday. I don't know many other details, but this seems like a signing in preparation that Bijan Robinson or someone else is not around for them to draft.
The Cowboys have agreed to a deal with RB Ronald Jones, who visited The Star Monday, per source. Jones spent last year with KC after a four-year run with Tampa Bay. His best year was in 2020: 192 carries, 978 yards, 7 TDs. He played in only six games last year with Chiefs.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) March 21, 2023
With Ezekiel Elliott released, the Cowboys need to fill the gap. Rico Dowdle was also re-signed today by the team, but a battle throughout training camp and preseason could be on the horizon.
Tony Pollard is the clear-cut starter on this team; we know that. We also should understand that Pollard is not a back that can handle 250-plus carries a season.
Jones brings championship experience with him. He's a two-time Super Bowl champion, winning one with the Buccaneers and his other last season as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.
From 2019 through 2021, Jones combined for 2,668 yards from scrimmage and 16 TDs.
This signing by Dallas is low risk, high reward. They are bringing in a player who has seen much more game action than Dowdle and Malik Davis for cheap.
Jones played high school football in Texas and said he's “ready to work and happy to be home.”
RoJo must have shown the Cowboys some fresh legs during his visit because, with how loaded this draft class is, they could have got some there also.
I am not ruling out the possibility of them drafting another running back. This signing allows them to take a player of need if available.
I thought they might try bringing in Leonard Fournette, but Jones is three years younger and wasn't used nearly as much outside of his 2020 season.
With all this said, I like the move from the team. If Jones doesn't work out, so be it. It's a one-year deal for a player who was hardly used a year ago. The team is filling all the necessary holes before draft day gets here.
This is the first time in a long time I can remember them going into a draft without a glaring weakness. Sure, they still need depth on the offensive and defensive line, but they still have playmakers there.
The team also just re-signed Dante Fowler, another good move.
Nonetheless, we will see how the rest of the off-season and the draft goes. Either way, if RoJo gets the backup spot, he has shown that he can produce at a high level if needed.
This team is adding depth all over the place. First time in a long time this team has gotten better in the month of March. I love it!
