Alfred Morris is the Washington Redskins' starting running back. No one disputes that fact.
Rookie Matt Jones, however, plans to push the incumbent.
"We will compete," Jones said during rookie minicamp over the weekend, via the Washington Times. "I will compete with anybody who's in front of me."
The 6-foot-2, 231-pound bruiser said he has "a ton of chips on my shoulder" after what he described as a disappointing college career at Florida. Jones believes his size and versatility provide the perfect augmentation to the Redskins' backfield.
"I think I can add more size to the backfield, more catching out of the backfield, more blocking, protection-wise," Jones said. "I feel like I can do it all. I feel like I can complement Alfred Morris at the same time. I'm just doing what I can out here for the team."
Jones will battle with Chris Thompson and Silas Redd to replace Roy Helu's production as a third down back in Washington. NFL Media's Lance Zierlein compared Jones to BenJarvus Green-Ellis during the draft process.
Coach Jay Gruden gushed about Jones during rookie camp.
"The thing about Matt is you think of him as a big, power type back, but really Matt's done some things out in space that have been very, very impressive," Gruden said Saturday. "Making moves on the second level, getting to the second level, in the passing game, running some option routes on linebackers -- he's done some good things. He's got natural hands."
The aspect to keep an eye on heading into the summer months is how much, if any, Jones will cut into Morris' carries.
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