Ronald Jones listed ahead of Leonard Fournette in Bucs first unofficial depth chart

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers open their 2021 preseason schedule on Saturday when they host the Cincinnati Bengals. On Wednesday, the team unveiled its first unofficial depth chart on Wednesday, and Ronald Jones was listed ahead of Leonard Fournette as the first string running back.

While that will get some tongues wagging, it is important to note how unofficial a team-released depth chart actually is. All 32 teams release a depth chart each week, but it is compiled primarily by the PR department and not the football operations department. A PR person might get an off-the-record nugget from a coach, but for the most part it’s informed by what the PR people are seeing on the field.

The unofficial depth charts are interesting to consider because it is one more interpretation, but it is just that, an interpretation. As you are preparing your fantasy football drafts or you are considering Ronald Jones prop bets or Leonard Fournette prop bets, don’t let the unofficial depth chart push you too far in any direction.

Last season, Jones appeared in 14 games and Fournette appeared in 13 games. Jones had 192 rushing attempts for 978 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had 28 receptions on 42 targets for 165 yards and a touchdown. He ranked 21st among running backs in fantasy points with 14.3 per game.

Fournette had 97 rushing attempts for 367 yards and six touchdowns. In the passing game, he had 36 receptions on 47 targets for 233 yards. He ranked 37th among running backs in fantasy points with 10.4 per game.