Green Bay Packers: Jamaal Williams No Longer a Roster Lock

With Aaron Jones as RB1 along with the addition of A.J. Dillon, there is no guarantee that Jamaal Williams is going to make the Green Bay Packers’ final roster.

In the past, whether it was former General Manager Ted Thompson or current GM Brian Gutekunst, we’ve seen the Green Bay Packers move on from players who many assumed were locks to make the final roster. Two of the most notable names include Josh Sitton just before the 2016 season began and Mike Daniels last summer.

As we begin to look ahead to training camp and the 2020 season, the next name that could very well be added to that list is running back Jamaal Williams. Now, I will point out that while both Sitton and Daniels were cut, if Green Bay does move on from Williams it will be via a trade. But nonetheless, his seat is certainly much hotter now than it was before the draft.

Williams has been a solid complementary back for the Packers during his short career, showing that he can hold his own as a running back, a pass-catcher, and as a pass-blocker. However, what Williams doesn’t bring is any sort of explosiveness or playmaking ability to this offense.

Out of college, Williams posted a Relative Athletic Score of 4.54 which is below average, and at the NFL level, he has rarely created a big play. Last season Williams would haul in 39 receptions but average just 6.5 yards per catch and he’s averaged only 7.2 yards per catch the past two seasons.

On the ground, Williams has a career averaged of 3.9 yards per rush and out of his 381 rushing attempts, he has just three carries of 20 yards or more.

Although reliable, and there is certainly something to be said for that, Williams doesn’t garner the defense’s attention and as we all saw last season, this Green Bay Packers’ offense could use some more juice.

Enter second-round draft pick A.J. Dillon who at 247 pounds is very athletic and has shown that explosiveness in college averaging 5.2 yards per carry over his career while totaling over 1,100 yards all three seasons. This includes nearly 1,700 yards rushing in 2019.

Sure, Dillon has to show that he can do that at the NFL level while also showing that he can hold his own in the passing game and as a pass-blocker. But keep in mind, the Packers didn’t spend the 62nd pick on him just so he could sit on the sidelines. Dillon will push Williams right away for RB2 reps and I imagine that he will take over that role sooner than later.

Now having said all of that, at this moment I expect Williams to be on the 53-man roster come September and I’m not advocating that the Green Bay Packers get rid of him just to get rid of him. He does have value.

In my Way Too Early Final Roster Prediction, I have the Packers keeping four running backs. This group includes Williams, Dillon, Aaron Jones, and Tyler Ervin. However, if either undrafted free agent Patrick Taylor or second-year player Dexter Williams are able to have a nice summer, then that opens a window for Green Bay to trade Jamaal.

With this being the final year of Williams’ rookie deal to begin with, this was already likely his last season with the Packers. On top of that, his salary cap hit this year according to Spotrac is $2.27 million, and the dead cap hit if they move on from him is only $141,498. Thus saving Green Bay over $2 million in cap space while also getting them an additional 2021 draft pick in return.

As I’ve already said, as of now I expect Williams to be in the Green and Gold come Week 1. But with Jones as the clear cut RB1 and Dillon taking RB2 reps sooner than later, Williams’ snap count could very well decrease this season. Add in Taylor or D. Williams stepping up and giving Green Bay solid depth and then there is certainly the possibility that the Packers begin searching for a trade partner for Jamaal.