There aren’t many sure things when it comes to the Green Bay Packers as they prepare for the 2023 season. But, the one thing you can count on is that running back Aaron Jones is going to be leaned on early and often.
With such inexperienced weapons at wide receiver and tight end, the Packers coaching staff would be smart to put as much on Aaron Jones’ plate as he can handle. He is one of the better dual-threat running backs in the NFL and they should take advantage of that.
It could lead to him being used as a wide receiver more, something that he has shown capable of doing. That is music to the ears of Fantasy Football owners as more receptions lead to more points scored for their teams.
While there have been some concerns in the Fantasy Football community about AJ Dillon taking work away from Aaron Jones, early projections don’t seem bothered. Over at NFL.com, a big season has been projected for Aaron Jones as he prepares for Year 7.
He is projected to rush for 1,018 yards and seven touchdowns, adding 55 receptions for 488 yards and three more scores. That would be the fourth time in his career that he surpasses the 1,000-yard plateau on the ground, while the receiving yards would be a new career-high.
Only Austin Ekeler, Christian McCaffrey, Joe Mixon and Alvin Kamara are projected to have more receptions than Aaron Jones at the running back position. The receiving yardage would put him fourth behind McCaffrey, Ekeler and Mixon.
It would result in Aaron Jones scoring 261.12 fantasy points, which would put him eighth among running backs. That is clear-cut RB1 status, which means there is some value in selecting the Packers lead back in 2023 as he isn’t being picked until the second or third round. If he can get his fumbling issues from 2022 under control, he will be even more valuable.
Not only will the people selecting Aaron Jones be very happy, but the Packers would also be ecstatic with that production. If they are going to win games early on, they are going to need their most experienced skill position player to step up and based on the NFL.com projections, he will do just that.