Alfred Morris has been a model of consistency for fantasy owners over the past few years. Sure he offers very little in the passing game, but he's carried the ball 265 times or more in each of his three NFL seasons and never fallen short of 1,000 yards.
So what's there to worry about?
A report from CSN Washington indicates that head coach Jay Gruden is high on rookie running back Matt Jones, and is especially happy with what he's capable of in the passing game. Washington did spend a Top 5 pick on offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, primarily a run blocker, but it seems Gruden views Jones as the bigger playmaker.
"The thing about Matt is you think of him as a big power-type back, but really Matt has done some things out in space that have been very, very impressive - making moves on the second level, getting to the second level," Gruden said. "In the passing game, running some option routes on linebackers. He has done some good things. He has got natural hands, so we've been very impressed him."
When asked if Jones will wind up eating into Morris' playing time, which has already been limited by Roy Helu's presence on third downs in passing situations, Gruden was non-committal.
"We'll see. That's what training camp is for and the preseason games, and Alfred is a darn good halfback, so in order to take carries off of him, you've got to show a lot."
Per FantasyPros.com, Morris is currently ranked as the No. 12 running back on the board. If he were to begin losing carries, that would not only sink his value, it would increase the value of the remaining upper tier rushers by shrinking the pool of impactful RBs.
Last season Jones rushed for 817 yards and six touchdowns for the Florida Gators, but caught only 11 passes; he has 19 career receptions for Florida, and just 100 receiving yards. Plan on Morris remaining a workhorse back for the 'Skins-barring injury-and keep Jones in the back of your mind as a handcuff come draft day.
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