The Inexperienced Bay Packers have some work to do on the working again place this offseason.
Aaron Jones will not be going anyplace. Head coach Matt LaFleur just lately referred to as him the heartbeat of the group and if he can keep wholesome for many (if not all) of the 2024-25 season, he must be top-of-the-line working backs within the NFL.
Jones’ well being is a priority, although. He is a troublesome runner however he does have a little bit of an harm historical past. That is why it made sense when Packers normal supervisor Brian Gutekunst drafted AJ Dillon in 2020. Positive, he was most likely picked too excessive as a second-rounder, however the concept was the create a “thunder” to Jones’ “lighting.” At occasions that imaginative and prescient has performed out properly in Inexperienced Bay.
The issue, although, is that whereas Dillon has been impactful as a runner, he is been removed from constant. At almost 250 kilos, he additionally hasn’t been the regular pile mover that the Packers probably anticipated he could be again in 2020. Dillon has had his moments, however he’ll be an unrestricted free agent as soon as the 2024 league yr begins and there is loads of knowledge behind the concept of not re-signing him to a second contract contemplating his middling manufacturing and the truth that he’ll be heading in to his year-26 season.
So what are the Packers to do?
Jones shall be again, probably on a restructured deal, and there are many sturdy working again choices who Inexperienced Bay can kick the tires on someplace in the course of the upcoming draft.
The Packers could not wish to spend one other second-round decide on a working again however there are some intriguing choices presently being mocked within the third spherical and past.
Names to observe embody Michigan working again Blake Corum, who rushed for 1,245 yards and 27 touchdowns final season and is arguably one of the best working again in Wolverines’ historical past. He has the mix of explosiveness and hard working the Packers normally covet.
One other fascinating choice might be Audric Estime from Notre Dame, who checks in at a stout 5-foot-11, 227 kilos. He rushed for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns with the Irish final season and could be a high-upside substitute for Dillon.
Whether or not it is Corum, Estime or every other again within the draft, the Packers could be sensible to make use of a mid-round decide to exchange Dillon.