Niner Noise
FanSided

5 players who impressed the 49ers at the NFL Scouting Combine

By Aaron Tan

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: USC running back Ronald Jones II runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: USC running back Ronald Jones II runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/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. 3: Running Back Ronald Jones (USC)

Ronald Jones did not have a good NFL Scouting Combine. You could actually say he had a terrible one.

The running back out of USC aggravated his hamstring injury while running his 40-yard dash, and as a result, was not able to partake in any of the other running back drills at the combine.

However, he still clocked in at a 4.66 on his 40-yard dash. And his hamstring buckled at the 10-yard line. Jones ran three-fourths of the 40-yard dash hurt, and still finished it in 4.66 seconds.

That’s pretty impressive, if you ask me.

Jones met with the 49ers and actually watched his own tape with the team, per Kyle Crabbs. I can imagine Jones talking with Kyle Shanahan about how perfect he is for his offense on a lot of the plays during that meeting. Because he really is.

Jones is a very fast running back who is more elusive than he is powerful. He can catch the ball and has great vision to find open holes. Most importantly, he can run outside zone, which is a staple in the Kyle Shanahan run game. He is my No. 2 ranked running back in this year’s draft only behind the generational talent in Saquon Barkley, but he’s No. 1, in terms of fit with the 49ers.

Jones’ disappointing combine can only mean that he drops in the draft. And I am completely fine with that. If Jones can drop to the 49ers’ lap in the second round, I know that they will pull the trigger on him and pick up a potential franchise running back.