It’s an indictment of every NFL team’s general manager that running back Aaron Jones wasn’t drafted until late in the fifth round in 2017, the 182nd player chosen that year. It’s even more of a scandal that the Packers didn’t properly appreciate his value prior to this year.
Jones has been ready for the pros from the day he joined the Packers. As a rookie in 2017, Mike McCarthy didn’t give him a carry for the first four games. Then Jones finally got a chance in Week 5, and proceeded to be named rookie of the week. He then repeated that honor in week 7, when he had 17 carries for 131 yards, though in a loss to the Saints.