Kevin Jones is the player in question.

8Ball917 is FOR K. Jones being a valuable fantasy RB this season
Dru7503321 is AGAINST K. Jones being a valuable fantasy RB this season

Do your best to convince us your side is the right one.

Id like to start out by informing all of you that Jones did in fact just sign a multi year deal on July 28th so no hold out worries.


Jones numbers from Virginia Tech are quite mind boggling. Despite forgoing his final season of eligibility, he ran for 3,475 yards and 35 touchdowns on 616 career attempts. In 2003, Jones rushed 281 times for 1,647 yards and 21 touchdowns. He appeared in 37 games in his three seasons with the Hokies and started 16 contests. Not to mention he was the big East rookie of the year.

The Lions got a complete steal in the draft as he was projected to go 10th-15th. Acquiring Jones was obviously part of the organization's plan to surround Joey Harrington with an upgraded offensive arsenal.

Another thing to consider is this year over last. Harrington was plagued by dropped passes and a marginal WR corps last season, but neither should be an issue in 2004. Charles Rodgers, Detroits big play rookie receiver missed most of last years season with a broken coller bone. The Lions did everything right in this years draft by picking up the explosive Roy Williams to complement Rogers followed by Jones.

Mariucci will use Rogers and Williams to spread the field, keeping defenses off the line. Expect Jones to jump in and put up the best numbers out of all the rookie RB's this year. He is a homerun threat every time he touches the ball. I predict that Jones will handle all the carries on first and second down, and will be the unquestioned starter on opening day. Jones will be good for 1100 yards and 7TD's by week 17. A perfect fit for a 2nd or 3rd fantasy RB.

Kevin Jones WILL NOT be a valuable fantasy RB this year.

*4.6- That was his 40 time in pre draft workouts, which is very poor since he is supposed to be an outside the tackle runner.

*He doesn't have good enough patience to be a star his first year in the NFL. And he often doesn't let his blockers set up a hole for him.

*He isn't strong enough to do the dirty work between the tackles.

*It is clear that Mariucci is trying to set up a very special passing game in detroit. Drafting Williams and picking up Streets. He will favor the passing game.

*Kevin Jones will, at the best, be an o.k no.3 rb on your fantasy team.

GO HARRINGTON!!!!!

I'd like to hear more opinions on this guy--I see him with the potential to be a solid #2 Fantasy RB by mid season. Detroit upgraded its defense significantly in the offseason, which should allow the Lions to establish and stick to its ground game deeper into games, and its offensive line looks decent if not very good. And, as has been mentioned here, Harrington and his Wrs, along with Marriucci's scheme, will keep defenses from playing any more than 7 in the box.

Jones has better than average size and strength, despite what Dru says. At 5-11 and 230, I definitely see him as capable of running between the tackles. I'm not worried about the 40 time quoted by Dru--Jones showed plenty of speed in pads in college.