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2018 NFL Scouting Combine: Top 5 running backs to watch

By Florito Maniego

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the football 92 yards to score a touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the first half of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the football 92 yards to score a touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the first half of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 01: Ronald Jones II #25 of the USC Trojans fights off the tackle of Justin Reid #8 of the Stanford Cardinal to score on an 8-yard touchdown run during the Pac-12 Football Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium on December 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 01: Ronald Jones II #25 of the USC Trojans fights off the tackle of Justin Reid #8 of the Stanford Cardinal to score on an 8-yard touchdown run during the Pac-12 Football Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium on December 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Ronald Jones II (USC)

USC’s Ronald Jones II possesses one of the most impressive breakaway speeds out of all running back prospects. Jones has uncanny abilities as a slasher, who can effectively wiggle through heavy traffic.

The 6-foot-0, 200-pound Trojan uses his acceleration and explosiveness to pass by defenders and burst to gain more yardage. NFL.com compared Jones to Broncos RB Jamaal Charles as both players have similar physical attributes and playing styles.

Walter Football projects Jones to have a 4.50 40-time. Although he is incredibly fast and shifty, Jones still needs to add more weight to handle a heavier workload in the NFL.

Physical strength could be an issue for Jones heading into the combine. As a result, he might fall in the second or third rounds of the draft.

Once he adds more weight and improves his strength, Jones can easily be a threat to opposing defenses in the pros. Especially when he develops his pass-catching abilities, Jones can turn into a hybrid runner/receiver back.

If Jones falls on the 49ers’ hands somewhere in the second round of the draft, general manager John Lynch might not hesitate to pick him up. With his top-notch speed and acceleration, Jones would be hard to pass on.