Exclusive: Maurice Jones-Drew Breaks Down Top RBs, Rams in 2024, and More

There might not be anyone more iconic from the storied Jacksonville Jaguars than legendary running back Maurice Jones-Drew. Jones-Drew spent most of his entire 10-year NFL career with the Jaguars, racking up 8,167 rushing yards, 68 touchdowns, 2,944 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns.

More news: 5 NFL Teams On Upset Alert Ahead of Week 6

Jones-Drew also led the league in rushing yards in 2011 with 1,606 and had a staggering 100.4. He was a speedy running back who could make cuts, run up the field, and catch the ball as well.

Jones-Drew sat down with Newsweek Sports, where he discussed his partnership with USSA, RB evolution, the current state of the Los Angeles Rams, his connection to UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster, and so much more.

Jones-Drew spent time with USSA while they hosted the “USAA Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp” event for military service members stationed in England at RAF Lakenheath.

While in England to await the match between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears, Jones-Drew engaged with the service members who spent an entire day in a mock NFL Combine.

Despite Jones-Drew going through the same training before he was drafted, he stated he did not get out there and try and run the 40-yard dash.

“I tried to give them some knowledge on the 40-yard dash. They tried to get me to run it. I said ‘I’m going to stay with my 4.30 that I ran when I was 20,'” Jones-Drew said.

Jones-Drew may not be able to run a fast 40-yard dash any longer, but he knows who the best running backs are in the league. His most recent RB index places Baltimore Ravens’ Derrick Henry as No. 1, San Francisco 49ers’ Jordan Mason as No. 2, and Philadelphia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley as No. 3 in the NFL.

Despite making a top 10 lit, Jones-Drew explains the different approach he is taking when ranking the top backs in the league.

“This year we wanted to do something different. Normally I would take what they [RBs] did last year, and how they ended last year. So this year we were saying ‘Look, I’m going to predict who I expect to be No. 1,’ and then each week it’s going to move kinda like the stock market. You gotta work your way up.”

Jones-Drew then names some big names to look out for who could crack his top 10 including Green Bay Packers’ Josh Jacobs, Los Angeles Rams’ Kyren Williams, and Los Angeles Chargers’ J.K. Dobbins — who Jones-Drew believes can have a breakout year.

One of the biggest narratives in the NFL now is how the running back position appears to be devalued in a way. Jones-Drew breaks this down, and how that narrative is a bit odd considering how backs like 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey have completely changed the position.

“It’s always something with the running backs, right? Look at the Niners. The Niners have been a perennial Super Bowl contender year after year. This is kinda the final year of them having them because of all the contracts … there’s always one player who is not playing right now, and they don’t look the same.”

Joens-Drew is alluding to the fact that the 49ers offense has taken a hit since McCaffrey is out, which is true. He also brings up how much more dangerous the Ravens look with Henry in the backfield.

The running back position matters a great deal, and Jones-Drew knows that the right player can make a world of difference. Even with half of the Rams’ offense out on injuries, Kyren Williams has been one of the best running backs in the league and has done a tremendous job keeping the offense competitive.

“Half of their offense is out with injuries, and yet they are competing and still in games because they have a really good running back and they’re running the football.”

More news: Rams HC Sean McVay Reveals Return Timeline for Star WR Cooper Kupp

Jones-Drew works as a color commentator for the Rams, and has a lot of knowledge of the team and where they stand. Despite pointing out that the team is currently 1-4 and missing a lot of key pieces, Jones-Drew is quick to point out that it’s still early in the season.

“It’s early in the season. When you have 17 game season. Going 1-4 is not isn’t as scary as a 16-game season. It’s crazy what one game can do. But having the bye week now is probably the most important thing … you are going to get Cooper Kupp back, you are going to get Steve Avila back, Jonah Jackson back, you’re gonna get all these guys back offensively.”

For the full interview, head to the video above. For all NFL content and exclusive interviews, head to Newsweek Sports.