Green Bay Packers: TJ Yeldon should be a top target at RB

As the Green Bay Packers are in search of a reliable third option at running back, current Buffalo Bill TJ Yeldon should be a top target for the team via trade.

The first two running back slots on the Green Bay Packers’ depth chart are held firmly by Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. However, the search for a reliable third option has come with mixed results this preseason.

Currently, the battle for that job is between rookie sixth-round pick, Dexter Williams and Tra Carson. As far as overall talent, potential and explosiveness, Williams is far ahead of Carson. With that said, it is Williams’ inconsistency and Carson’s reliability that is giving Carson more opportunities as of late.

As a result, it was reported yesterday by Rob Demovsky of ESPN that GM Brian Gutekunst is working the phones and is open to making a trade for a running back.

Now, the initial thought of many may be for Melvin Gordon of the L.A. Chargers, but I’m here to tell you it won’t be him. Green Bay is likely in the market for a role player that could end up being cut by their current team.

Enter the fifth year running back out of Alabama, TJ Yeldon who is currently battling for a roster spot with the Buffalo Bills and could be the best solution to the Packers’ running back conundrum.

After four years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Yeldon signed with Buffalo as a free agent this past offseason and at best case scenario is likely the third or fourth running back option on the team at the moment. With only 12 rushes for 34 yards and five receptions for 71 yards through the preseason, Yeldon has been outshined by Devin Singletary.

While Jones and Willimas will see action in the passing game, they will be Green Bay’s workhorses in the running game as well, and head coach Matt LaFleur is looking for another option in the passing game out of the backfield.

Although Yeldon has shown that he can be a solid option carrying the ball, it is as a pass-catcher where he has really differentiated himself. Over his career as a pass-catcher, Yeldon has 171 receptions for over 1,300 yards, six touchdowns and an average of 7.6 yards per catch.

Last season he would set career highs in catches with 55, total yards with 487, 8.9 yards per catch, and four touchdown receptions.

As far as money goes, Yeldon will be a relatively inexpensive solution for the Packers to this problem. According to Spotrac, Yeldon comes with a cap hit of only $1.3 million this season and would leave Green Bay with a potential out in 2020 with a dead cap hit of only $250,000.

We also have to note that current Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, was Yeldon’s OC from 2016 to 2018 in Jacksonville. While it is a new offense compared to when they were last together, the familiarity certainly doesn’t hurt and Hackett will know how to best utilize Yeldon to set him up for success.

Yeldon could step in and be an immediate threat in the passing game for this Packers’ offense as well as a third-down specialist. Even though he’s been the secondary option since entering the NFL, Yeldon has had a productive career and is definitely someone who should be at the top of Gutekunst’s list to target.