The Buccaneers select Ronald Jones No. 38

With their first pick in Round 2 of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted USC running back Ronald Jones .

Jason Licht and his front office staff waited until the second round to pick up a big need for their backfield. Not only was a need finally addressed with this selection, but Jones may be Jameis Winston’s best friend.

Below is Bucs Nation’s Kyle Marks’ scouting report on Jones:

• Pros: Allows blockers to get set and create lanes. Shows great quickness and nimble footwork in the trenches. Ability to accelerate quickly and stop on a dime to change direction. Loses little in overall speed when planting and turning in open field. Ability to maintain balance and top speed allows multiple moves and changes in directions in a single play. Shows good approach to contact when running and continues to churn for yardage. Willing participant in pass protection though form and effectiveness can be spotty.
• Cons: Route running out of the backfield was sub-par but given players athletic ability as a runner, should be able to be coached up here. Vision inside is spotty at times and will jump early without seeing second level defenders. Lacks the grab and go decisiveness of the top two backs in this draft. Running pattern around line of scrimmage causes some issues with poor momentum build up to the line. Pass protection set up is sketchy and will need to be refined.
• Overview: Possibly the last back with true 3-down starter ability up front day 1, Jones has the tools to be an effective lead back. Big play talent and the expected growth as a pass catcher should land Jones many looks early on in the draft as round one ends and round two begins. For the Buccaneers, Jones could offer some speed the team lacks and behind a revamped line should be able to find some running lanes to explode through.