Can Kevin Jones Help Fantasy Owners?

October 2, 2007 @ 12:52:50

By William Corsaro
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

Detroit Lions running back Kevin Jones saw his workload increase in Week 4's impressive win over their division rival, the Chicago Bears.  Jones rushed for 38 yards on 10 carries and caught two balls for six yards. He scored his second touchdown of the season in the fourth quarter on a five-yard run. The touchdown helped seal the Lions third victory of the season. Last week in the Lions loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Jones rushed for five yards on three carries and scored his first touchdown of the season. Jones saw very limited action last week against the Eagles but saw his playing time triple against the Bears. Now that it looks like Jones is ready to seize the workload in Detroit, what slot will he be afforded on fantasy rosters? Can he be a No. 2 running back and possibly ascend to a No. 1 running back? Will he disappoint and be no better than a No. 3 running back or flex player?

Last week's game against the Eagles was Jones' first game action since he injured his foot last year against the Minnesota Vikings Dec. 10. The injury interrupted his best season as a pro. Jones rushed for 689 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games. He caught 61 balls for 520 yards and scored two receiving touchdowns. Jones was finally reaching the lofty heights placed on him since his magnificent rookie season in 2004. In that year Jones rushed for 1,133 yards, caught 28 balls and scored six total touchdowns.

Jones followed up his rookie season with an awfully dreadful year.

In 2005, in 13 games, Jones rushed for only 664 yards with five touchdowns. He caught just 20 balls for 109 yards. Jones has been bitten by the injury bug throughout his brief pro career. He has missed nine games over the last three years due to various ailments. In 2005, Jones missed three games with shoulder and elbow injuries. Last year he missed the last four games of the season with a serious foot injury. Jones suffered a Lisfranc fracture of his right foot. The injury required surgery and intense rehab. It caused Jones to miss all of the preseason and the first two games of the regular season this year.

Jones' questionable status caused him to spiral down the draft board. He averaged around the 137th pick in most fantasy leagues. With the offense production the Lions are putting up so far this year, Jones should fit in nicely. It's apparent that ever since offensive coordinator Mike Martz came aboard in 2006, the Lions offense has improved appreciably.

Jones was having his best year under the tutelage of Martz last year. If he can avoid injuries, Jones should be able to at least match last year's numbers. Considering the foot injury was the first surgery Jones has had in his entire football career, we believe there is a fair chance that he could remain healthy.

The Lions are bringing him along gradually. We see Jones' touches increasing to at least 15 next week verses the Washington Redskins. By the time the Lions come out of the bye in Week 7, Jones should be starting and ready to be more of a contributor to fantasy teams. However, the schedule drastically increases in difficulty for the Lions after the bye. Even with the schedule complexity, Jones should make up for any lost rushing yards with receptions and receiving yards.

Considering the diversity Martz has brought to the Lions' offense, Martz's love for utilizing his running backs and the Lions talented wide receivers, Jones should find room to amass large yardage totals from this point on. He has the size, speed and hands to be an elite running back in the NFL, but injuries have taken their toll. Jones is the best running back on the Lions roster.

Until Jones is 100 percent, look for him to share time with running back Tatum Bell. Bell's value take a moderate hit. He should be viewed as a No. 3 or No. 4 fantasy back going forward, at best. The ceiling could be as high for Jones as the second coming of Marshall Faulk. Did we really say that? OK, maybe that's a little too high! In reality, Jones is a quality No. 3 back until he garners more touches, but even then his value is probably no better than a No. 2 most weeks.

Now is the time to trade for Jones to try to steal him from an unwary owner. If for some reason he is available on your free-agent wire, pick him up immediately. Jones is owned in about 75 percent of completive leagues and 33 percent of casual leagues polled.

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William Corsaro
William Corsaro has been a KFFL contributor since 2007.

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