2017 NFL Draft Profile: Aaron Jones

Aaron Jones, UTEP
5-9, 208
Jones was one of the all-time greats in El Paso during his four year stay, despite missed time due to injury in two separate seasons. As a freshman, Jones led the team with 811 yards rushing and four scores. He averaged 17.22 carries per game, and 5.23 yards per carry in nine games. As a sophomore, Jones rushed for 1321 yards and 11 scores on 242 carries. He averaged 20.17 carries and 5.46 YPC. His junior year fell of the rails, as he missed 10 games with a ruptured ankle ligament, and finished with 209 yards on just 39 carries. He averaged 16 carries per game, and 6.53 yards per carry, which was a career high up to that point. As a senior, he blew up to rush for 1773 yards and 17 scores, while averaging 19.08 carries per game (229 total carries). He averaged a new career high 7.74 YPC.
As a sophomore, Jones was second on the team with 30 receptions for 293 yards and three scores. He had caught 9 passes for 106 yards and a score before the injury ended his junior season, and as a senior, he caught 28 balls for 233 yards and three scores.
The Good
A seriously productive back when healthy.
Low body build gives him some power to move through tackles, and he is difficult to arm tackle.
Was seriously under recruited out of high school and worked his way up.
Was All-CUSA as a sophomore and a senior, and likely would have been as a junior as well, if not for the injury.
Has enough moves to string together to break a long run here and there.
Is a decent safety valve out of the backfield on passing downs.
The Bad
Good, but not blazing speed for his size. Lacks a second and third gear.
Has never played for a winner, and has no experience playing in that role.
Maxed out in carries per game as a sophomore, and has never had to carry a seriously heavy workload.
May be best suited as a rotational back, maybe specializing as a 3rd down back.
Works best in zone schemes, and needs blockers to line up perfectly.
Adds no value as a kick return man, with limited special teams ability.
Final Overview
Jones figures to be a late round grab, but has some upside moving forward with the right coaching. He is a decent back for passing downs, but I do not see him as an every down back at the next level, and the injury can be a concern moving forward. He has late draft value, and is worth a risk for the right team.