NAPA, Calif. -- This is a summer of change for Taiwan Jones. Again.
For the second time in his NFL career, Jones is undergoing a significant position change. He’s a running back again.
The Raiders drafted Jones, a standout special teamer who missed most of last season with a foot injury, in the fourth round of the 2011 draft as a running back out of Eastern Washington. However, Oakland moved Jones to cornerback in 2013.
When the new Oakland coaching staff took over earlier this year, the decision was made to move the speedy Jones, who added 20 pounds to his frame and now weighs 200, back to running back. Jones said he was called by the new staff about the change. He was not expecting it, but he’s all for it.
Monday, Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie called Jones’ return to running back a “no-brainer.”
Jones, who has 117 yards on 27 career carries, declined to get into specifics about his role, but he said he thinks “it’s a good fit” for him.
Jones very likely will be a backup as he concentrates on his primary role as a special teams standout. Yet if Jones’ speed and strength can be utilized on a limited basis, it could be a worthwhile move for Oakland.
