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NFL Scouting Combine: 5 prospects with the most to prove in 2018

By Aaron Tan

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Wide receiver John Ross of Washington runs the 40-yard dash in an unofficial record time of 4.22 seconds during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Wide receiver John Ross of Washington runs the 40-yard dash in an unofficial record time of 4.22 seconds during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Ronald Jones II #25 of the USC Trojans carries the ball during the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Ronald Jones II #25 of the USC Trojans carries the ball during the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Running Back Ronald Jones (USC)

Ronald Jones is my No. 2 ranked running back in the draft, only behind the generational talent of Saquon Barkley.

Jones is a very underrated back despite playing for a big Pac-12 school. However, he has the speed, ball-carrier vision and deceptive strength to become a great running back in the pros. He deserves to be drafted in the first round.

However, as I said, he’s underrated. He probably won’t be drafted in the first round unless he has a great combine.

Scouts know Jones is fast. A 40-yard dash, close to John Ross’ time, will boost his stock tremendously. Scouts probably don’t know how strong Jones is. A good number of reps on the bench press will change that. The vertical jump, broad jump and 3-cone test will be a testament to how agile and elusive Jones is on the field.

If Jones aces all of those drills, you can bet his stock will jump. It’ll jump to where he deserves to be drafted — in the first round.