Kevin Jones

It will be interesting to see how Jones recovers from his torn ACL suffered in December. If he is not fully healthy once the start of the season nears, he could be placed on the PUP list and would not be eligible to play until Week 7. If he's healthy and able to run effectively, he could steal some touches in Chicago's inexperienced backfield. Either way, he could be a sleeper on draft day with potential to see a significant amount of looks by midseason if rookie Matt Forte is unable to carry the load.

Jones is one of the bigger wild cards entering 2007, as he'd be a possible first-round pick if healthy but could miss part of the year after surgery to repair a Lisfranc fracture in his left foot. Jones flourished in Mike Martz's system last season, totaling 1,209 yards in 12 games. The biggest improvement in his game came in his receiving skills. After 48 receptions in his first two years, Jones hauled in 61 balls in just two thirds of a season in 2006. He only averaged 3.8 YPC, struggled at the goal line (two TDs in 12 attempts) and lost five fumbles, so it wasn't all good. The prognosis for Jones' return ranges anywhere from the start of training camp to missing the season. He began jogging in April, but the team added Tatum Bell and T.J. Duckett in the offseason, a clear indication it’s not counting on Jones to play a full slate of games. If he's close to full strength in August, move him higher on this list.

Jones has all the tools you want in a premier NFL back. He’s got deceptive speed and great acceleration through his cuts, with enough power to drive back tacklers and gain extra yards. He also doesn’t look out of place as a receiver, and has the all-around skills to be an every-down back. What he didn’t have last season was good luck – he battled through various injuries, limiting his production, and when he was able to play, the Lions offense was a disaster around him. However, if new offensive coordinator Mike Martz works his magic in Detroit, Jones’ luck should change in a hurry. He’s not quite the talent Marshall Faulk was, but the potential is there for Jones to explode in a Martz-style offense. To that end, Jones worked on his pass-catching skills this offseason, catching more than 100 balls per day. Unless Matt Millen has a habit of breaking mirrors after the team loses that he hasn’t told anyone about, 2006 almost has to be better for the Lions and Jones than 2005 was.

A smooth, fluid runner who can cut back and change directions on a dime, Jones started his rookie season slowly, then sprained his ankle and missed the better part of three games. It took him several more games to shake the Steve Mariucci time-share, but in Week 10, he finally got the job to himself. From the point, in a span of eight games, Jones rushed for 906 yards on 172 carries (5.3 YPC) and scored four touchdowns. And lest it seem like the dearth of touchdowns was a shortcoming on Jones’ part, consider that he scored on three of six chances from inside the five – a respectable conversion percentage. Of course, the Lions as a team will need to do a better job getting Jones the ball near the goal line, but there’s reason to believe they’ll improve offensively with the expected development of their young skill-position talent under Mariucci. Jones has good size (5-11, 220), shows good burst between the tackles and has enough speed to be a home run threat as evidenced by a 74-yard scamper in Week 13 against the Cardinals. Jones is also an above average receiver out of the backfield. Expect him to improve significantly on 2004’s 24 receptions this season.

Despite being drafted higher than Tatum Bell and Julius Jones, Kevin Jones is in a worse fantasy situation. Don’t be deceived by the Lions’ skill talent, as that’s still in the development stage, and the offensive line is also in transition. Jones is the complete package at running back with size, speed, hands and elusiveness, but the Lions are unlikely to jell until 2005.