1 Question Facing Each Green Bay Packers Player: Running Backs

From now up until training camp, I’ll be discussing one big question that faces each member of this Green Bay Packers team. Up first were the quarterbacks, which you can find here, and today we will go through each of the five running backs on the Packers’ 90-man roster.

Aaron Jones: Can he live up to his new deal?

Many of us assumed after the NFC Championship Game that Aaron Jones had played his final snaps with the Green Bay Packers. For one, it was assumed that Green Bay didn’t have the cap space to re-sign him. And two, paying running backs top-dollar in today’s NFL is typically a no-no.

But the Green Bay Packers would surprise us all and sign Jones to a four-year deal worth $48 million. By average annual value, Jones will be the sixth highest-paid running back in 2021. Jones has been a key part of this offense and has flourished in the Matt LaFleur system, tallying back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons along with 17 total rushing touchdowns and another 829 yards through the air with five more scores.

Based on what we’ve seen from Jones, there really is no reason to think that he won’t live up to his new contract. However, with every big contract handed out to a running back, I imagine that’s what the team and the fan base thought as well, but as we all know, that isn’t the case, and there are plenty of examples where it backfires.

AJ Dillon: How big of a factor can he be in the passing game?

One of the big reasons that the Green Bay Packers were criticized for their selection of AJ Dillon in the second round, other than the fact that it was a second-round pick on a running back while they still had Jones and Jamaal Williams under contract, was that Dillon had very little experience as a pass-catcher. Today more than ever, in most cases running backs are expected to be a part of the passing game–especially in the LaFleur offense.

During his three-year career at Boston College, Dillon had just 21 total receptions at 11.2 yards per catch and found the end zone twice. In 2020 with Green Bay, he had only two receptions–although he was used sparingly over the course of the season.

As I mentioned, we know that the running backs play an important role in the passing game in this offense. As RB2 under LaFleur, Williams was targeted 80 times over the last two seasons. Chances are Dillon won’t see that much action in the passing game, but the big questions on had are how often will he be utilized, and in what ways?

"“He’s really an all-around back,” GM Brian Gutekunst said after the 2020 draft via Packers Wire. “While he was not used in the passing game a ton at Boston College, it’s not because he’s not capable, it’s just kind of their offense. I think he’ll bring that to the table, and you’ll see more of that in his pro career.”"

Kylin Hill and Patrick Taylor: Who emerges as RB3 this summer?

In the past, LaFleur has talked about the importance of having third running back to lean on occasionally to provide RBs 1 and 2 a break. Entering training camp this year, that third running back role is up for grabs and will likely be either Kylin Hill or Patrick Taylor.

Based on what I’ve seen around the internet, it sounds like Hill is the favorite to win this job—and that very well may be the case. He was a productive ball carrier at Mississippi State, a willing blocker, and very effective as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.

However, I wouldn’t quite write off Taylor just yet, who brings a similar well-rounded skill-set and also has a year of experience in this offense under his belt after essentially taking a red-shirt year in 2020 as he recovered from an injury–and that shouldn’t be overlooked, especially in an offense that asks a lot from the running back position. I believe that both Hill and Taylor are very good fits for this system.

This will be one of the more intriguing positional battles to take place this summer, and as Green Bay Packers RB coach Ben Sirmans told reporters, it’s wide open:

"“But everybody, all those guys are well aware there’s an opportunity sitting there, and the other guys know, hey, don’t you sleep on the guys you feel are underneath you because you’ve also got to bring it every day too,” said Sirmans via Packers.com. “They all know their position is pretty much wide open and won’t be decided until we start playing real football.”"

Dexter Williams: Can he gain the trust of the coaching staff?

Obviously, by not having Williams included in the last question, I don’t believe that his chances of emerging as RB3 are very high. Rather, I’m wondering if he can finally gain the trust and confidence of the coaching staff, which is something that has been lacking since his rookie season.

Whether it be on the practice field or during preseason action, we’ve seen Williams struggle as a pass-blocker as well as with dropped passes as a receiver. Ultimately, I believe those are two big things that have held him back, and his ability as both a blocker and a pass-catcher will have to be greatly improved if he hopes to crack the initial 53-man roster this year.

"“It’s how productive are you when you’re in the game,” said Sirmans via Packers.com. “That’s not only running the ball, it’s catching the ball, it’s how you are in protection, can we trust you in a game to do the right thing, so it’s all those facets that kind of make up our decision.”"