When Matt LaFleur was hired last off-season to be the Green Bay Packers head coach he talked of emphasizing the run game. It wasn’t just lip service either. Last season, the Packers rushing attack became an integral part of the Packers offense. The biggest benefactor of the new emphasis was running back Aaron Jones. Not only was Jones a standout, but his backup, Jamaal Williams, played a major part in the Packers offense. While both were standouts, there has been some speculation that the Packers might add to that group this off-season. General manager Brian Gutekunst might add another member to the Packers running backs through the NFL draft.
NFL Draft Might Bring Another Addition to the Green Bay Packers Running Backs Roster
Jones turned out to be the lead runner of the Packers running backs. He led the Packers running backs in carries (236), rushing yards (1,084), and touchdown carries (16). Each one of those statistics was career bests for Jones. While quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Davante Adams get most of the publicity, many believe that Jones was the MVP of the Packers offense.
Williams was also a major contributor for the Packers running backs last season. He rushed for 460 yards on 107 carries and chipped in one touchdown carry. For a backup running back, those numbers are pretty solid. But Williams’s biggest contribution came on pass protection. Out of all of the Packers running backs, that includes the now-departed Danny Vitale, Williams was the Packers best pass protector out of the backfield. Protecting Rodgers is just as important as carrying the ball in the Packers offense. Williams showed that he was up for the challenge.
Jones and Williams proved that they are very capable of producing at the running back position. But Gutekunst could be looking for that third running back to take the burden off of Jones as well as Williams. While he might look to the draft to fill that third Packers running back role, there are a couple of options currently on the Packers roster that could do so.
Could a Former Sixth Round Pick Be the Answer?
Dexter Williams was a very productive running back for Notre Dame in his final season. He rushed for 995 yards on 158 carries and had an impressive 12 rushing touchdowns. His production, along with his one-cut running style, helped him get drafted in the sixth round in last year’s draft.
For late-round draft choices, playing time is hard to come by. Williams was no different. He played in just four games and had just five carries for 11 yards. There is no doubt that he was hoping to grab the attention of the Packers offensive coaches during OTAs. But it appears that OTAs will be canceled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. That could hinder Williams in earning that third running back role.
Expanding Tyler Ervin‘s Duties
The addition of Tyler Ervin during the middle of last season was a godsend for the Packers special teams. Before Ervin arrived, the Packers punt and kickoff return units were a complete mess. When he joined the team, he gave the Packers a reliable returner who displayed the ability to gain positive yards on punt and kickoff returns.
While Ervin showed his worth on special teams, he also gave a very small glimpse of what he can do on offense as well. While it was only a small glimpse (two catches for 11 yards and one carry for 10 yards), it was enough to grab the attention of LaFleur and the rest of the offensive coaching staff. Jones and Jamaal Williams both are solid receiving options out of the backfield (Jones had 49 catches while Williams had 39), Ervin seems like more of a natural catcher than the other two Packers running backs. He very well could fill that third Packers running back role.
For Gutekunst, he will need to decide if Dexter Williams has shown enough to fill that third running back role. He will also need to decide if it is worth Ervin taking on more duties and possibly hurting his return ability. If he decides neither are up for the task, he very well could look to the draft for help.
Finding Help in the Draft
When it comes to filling key positions through the draft, the Packers running backs seem to be low on that list. Still, if a running back were to slip out of the first round, Gutekunst might be tempted to grab one in the second.
Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor, Ohio State’s JK Dobbins, and Florida State’s Cam Akers are three possible prospects that it could happen to. Both Taylor and Dobbins were highly productive Big Ten running backs. Both showed they are capable of being high-end runners in the NFL. However, both have limited production as receivers. Akers was a big-time recruit for Florida State. However, he played on some very bad Florida State teams. All three would be worthy of second-round picks, possibly even a late first-round selection.
Wide receiver, inside linebacker, and offensive tackle all seem to be higher on the Packers to-do list going into the draft. Gutekunst might not have the luxury of drafting a running back with the Packers first or second-round pick. Especially since he has Jones and Jamaal Williams filling the number one and two roles already.
But grabbing one later in the draft might be the right call for Gutekunst. While the running back depth isn’t as good as seasons past, there should be some capable prospects in the mid to late rounds in this year’s draft.
Two possible prospects that Gutekunst might look to are Vanderbilt’s Ke’Shawn Vaughn and UCLA’s Joshua Kelley. Neither are high-end runners like Taylor, Dobbins, or Akers are, but both could be a nice fit for the Packers third running back. WalterFootball.com have both projected to go around the third-fifth round.
Providing depth for the Packers running backs are needed. But for Gutekunst, he will need to be smart where he selects one.
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