More Opportunities for Packers UDFA RBs Goodson & Baylor this Summer

Not surprisingly, Kylin Hill, who is still recovering from an ACL injury, was placed on the PUP list by the Green Bay Packers on Friday. However, so was Patrick Taylor, and at this time, how much time he will miss or why he is on the PUP list remains unknown.

Once placed on the PUP list during training camp, a player can be removed from it at any time once they, of course, pass their physical. If the player begins the season on the PUP list, they must miss the first four weeks, and at that point, they will either be activated or placed on IR.

So while the Packers are without Hill and Taylor, that means there are going to be quite a few more opportunities for undrafted rookie running backs Tyler Goodson and BJ Baylor.

Goodson was effective both on the ground and as a pass-catcher during his career at Iowa. He finished his career with 497 carries and averaged 5.0 yards per rush with 17 touchdowns. He would eclipse the 1,000-yard mark during his most recent season.

Through the air, Goodson was active as well, catching 61 of his 78 career targets at 8.3 yards per catch with one touchdown. He also brings a very similar athletic profile to that of Aaron Jones.

"“Goodson is a solid athlete who enters the draft with an unpolished game,” wrote Tony Pauline prior to the draft. “He is better in a straight line and must improve all the fundamentals of his position.”"

Baylor comes to the Packers with less experience than Goodson, with most of his playing time coming in 2021, and he wasn’t as active in the passing game either–although, as we’ve seen with AJ Dillon, that doesn’t mean he can’t be productive.

In 2021, Baylor averaged 6.0 yards per carry and totaled almost 1,300 yards with 13 touchdowns. Out of all running backs, he finished 16th in forced missed tackles, according to PFF ($$), 15th in rushes of 10-plus yards, and 18th in total yards after contact.

"“Baylor comes off a career season carrying the ball, but he is primarily an undersized downhill runner with average speed and no capacity to create yardage,” said Pauline. “The inability to catch the ball out of the backfield will be his downfall trying to make a roster.”"

While used sparingly in 2021, the third running back could take on a larger role this year as a way to keep Aaron Jones and Dillon more fresh, both of whom could potentially take on larger roles without Davante Adams, along with the possibility of there being more two running back sets. Prior to the 2020 NFL Draft, Matt LaFleur would discuss the value of having a third running back to lean on.

Ultimately, I believe that Hill will be the primary third running back this season once healthy, and because of the third running back taking on a potentially larger role, I see a more clear path for a fourth back to make this roster.

I would consider Taylor the front-runner to be RB4 — if there is one — because of his experience in the offense along with his ability as a ball carrier, pass-catcher, and blocker. Against Detroit in Week 18 last season, Taylor would average almost 5.0 yards per rush.

However, with all of that said, if Taylor misses extended time this summer and either Goodson or Baylor can prove capable of handling these responsibilities, things become much more unclear–or they do at least until Hill is available.

As an undrafted rookie, all you can really hope for that first summer is an opportunity, and while we don’t know how long those opportunities will last, with both Taylor and Hill sidelined, Goodson and Baylor will have their chance to impress.